ÖSD B1 study materials: all model tests, books and courses compared
What exists for the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 in its ZDÖ B1 version, what it costs and what it is good for. Official material first, our own offer judged by the same standards.
Every entry checked at its source on October 16, 2026. Prices as of October 2026, without guarantee.
Which material suits you?
First check which exam you are taking: the ÖSD offers the ZDÖ B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch Österreich, with Sprachbausteine) and the ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1, the same as Goethe B1). This page is for the ZDÖ B1. For the ZB1, our Goethe-Zertifikat B1 page fits.
For the ZDÖ B1 the choice is small: we found no exam trainer from the big publishers written for it. The essentials come from the ÖSD itself, free (model test with audio, online training) or cheap (practice book). Paying is mostly worth it for feedback on writing and speaking.
6 materials compared
Official material comes first. Our own offer sits in the same grid and is described by the same columns.
| Material | Price | Covers | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official and free | ||||
| ZDÖ B1 Modellsatz (PDF und Hördateien)ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)Official The official model test as a ZIP with audio; the parts Lesen and Sprachbausteine, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen can also be downloaded one by one. | Pricefree | CoversLesenHörenSchreibenSprechen | Best forYour first mock exam in the real format | Visit |
| ÖSD Test-Training digitalÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)Official The ÖSD's online simulation, including das ZDÖ B1: Lesen and Hören marked automatically, Schreiben with model answers (your own text is not graded), Sprechen with video examples. Computer only. | Pricefree, sign-up required | CoversLesenHörenSchreibenSprechen | Best forPractising Lesen and Hören on screen with instant marking | Visit |
| Other free resources | ||||
| Deine Deutschprüfung B1Deutsche Welle (learngerman.dw.com)Free Deutsche Welle overview of B1 exams with exercises. General, not specific to the ZDÖ B1. | Pricefree | CoversLesenHörenSchreibenSprechen | Best forExtra free exercises | Visit |
| Nicos Weg (A1 bis B1)Deutsche WelleFree Free video course by Deutsche Welle with grammar, vocabulary and exercises up to B1. A German course, not exam training. | Pricefree | CoversLesenHören | Best forClosing gaps in your B1 German before you practise exams | Visit |
| Books | ||||
| ÖSD ZDÖ B1 ÜbungsmaterialienÖSD (Shop testsam.at)ISBN 978-3-902440-98-3Book Practice book by the ÖSD itself, as a book or e-book, with a code to download the audio. The only book we found written specifically for the ZDÖ B1. | Price€14.98 | CoversLesenHörenSchreibenSprechen | Best forMore practice in exactly the ZDÖ format | Visit |
| Online courses | ||||
| ExamReady: Kurs und Modelltests ÖSD B1ExamReady (examready.at)Online courseour offer Online course with 26 lessons and 5 model tests of our own in the exam format, with a timer and our own audio, AI grading of writing and speaking, explanations in 7 languages. No subscription, 3-day money-back guarantee. The model tests are our own work, not official exam papers. | PriceFree to start (2 keys a day); Pro €24.90 for 30 days or €49.90 for 90 days, one-time | CoversLesenHörenSchreibenSprechen | Best forPeople who want feedback on their writing and speaking without a teacher and prefer a guided online path | Have a look |
Prices as of October 2026, without guarantee. Book prices are list prices in euros and often differ a little in shops and in Austria. No affiliate links.
What we recommend in each situation
Honestly: very often the free official material is the best first step.
Tight budget
The ÖSD model test and Test-Training are free and exactly in the format. For more tests, the ÖSD practice book at just under €15 is the cheapest addition.
ZDÖ B1 Modellsatz (PDF und Hördateien)ÖSD Test-Training digitalÖSD ZDÖ B1 ÜbungsmaterialienExam in 2 weeks
Do the official model test today with real timing. Schreiben has 40 minutes, so practise the letter specifically. The written parts count together, so pick up points where it is easiest.
ZDÖ B1 Modellsatz (PDF und Hördateien)ExamReady: Kurs und Modelltests ÖSD B1Practising Sprechen
Take the speaking tasks from the model test and practise them with someone who speaks German. The ÖSD Test-Training shows in videos how it sounds. Without a partner, you can speak with us and get an AI rating against the criteria.
ZDÖ B1 Modellsatz (PDF und Hördateien)ÖSD Test-Training digitalExamReady: Kurs und Modelltests ÖSD B1Writing without a teacher
The ÖSD Test-Training shows model answers but does not grade your own text. For that you need a teacher, a study partner with good German or a tool that grades, like ours.
ÖSD Test-Training digitalExamReady: Kurs und Modelltests ÖSD B1Not yet solid at B1
Exam training does little if vocabulary and grammar are missing, especially for the Sprachbausteine. Close the gaps first with a free course.
Nicos Weg (A1 bis B1)Deine Deutschprüfung B1Try it right away
Free exercises in the ÖSD B1 format, no sign-up. Plus everything about the exam and our course.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the official ÖSD B1 model test with audio?
On osd.at, on the ZDÖ B1 page: the whole model test as a ZIP with audio and the single parts as PDFs. Free, no sign-up.
Do Goethe-Zertifikat B1 books also work for the ZDÖ B1?
Only partly. Books with "Goethe-/ÖSD-Zertifikat B1" in the title are written for the ZB1, a different exam with different tasks and no Sprachbausteine. They are fine for general B1 training; for the ZDÖ B1 format, use the ÖSD material.
Is the free ÖSD material enough?
For the format yes; it shows exactly what is coming. But there is only one official model test, and nobody grades your writing and speaking. If you want more tests or feedback, add the ÖSD practice book, a teacher or an online offer.
Is ÖSD Test-Training digital free?
Yes, you only need to sign up. It runs on a computer, not a phone. Lesen and Hören are marked automatically; Schreiben has model answers, Sprechen has video examples.
Why is ExamReady on this list?
Because it is our own offer and we do not want to hide it. It sits clearly marked in the same table. Our model tests in the ZDÖ format are our own work, not official exam papers. If the free ÖSD material is enough for you, you do not need us.
ExamReady is an independent learning platform and is not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut, ÖSD or ÖIF. We receive no money from any provider listed here and use no affiliate links. Information as of October 16, 2026. The providers' own pages are binding.