A negative result hits hard, especially when your residence permit depends on it. But a failed attempt is not a final no. You are allowed to retake the exam, and people who prepare in a targeted way the second time usually pass.
Two questions matter now: what exactly went wrong, and how will you use the time until your next exam date?
First: what went wrong?
Before you simply register again, look at your result. Was it the language part or the values part? And if it was the language part, which module? This one piece of information decides where you spend your time.
By the way, failing is more common than people think, especially in Writing and Speaking. It does not mean your German is bad. It means one particular part is not solid yet.
Do you have to repeat everything?
Yes. The Integration Exam B1 has no partial certificates: you always retake the whole exam, even if only one part fell short. This is set out in the ÖIF exam regulations (Prüfungsordnung, version 01/2024). The good news: you can retake it as often as you like.
A reminder of what counts next time: you must always pass Speaking at B1 (from 75 of 100) and Values (from 25 of 45), plus B1 in Listening and Reading (from 33 of 45) or in Writing (from 15 of 20). Because you redo everything, keep practising the parts that already went well too.
How much does a second attempt cost?
As a rule, you pay the fee of around 150 euros again, plus the wait for the next exam date. Annoying, but also a good reason not to waste your second attempt.
How to get the points the second time
The mistake now would be to practise everything equally again. Focus on the part that cost you:
- Was it Writing? Then you need feedback on real texts, not more grammar exercises. You have to see which guide point (Leitpunkt) you keep missing.
- Was it Speaking? Practise out loud, not in your head, and build up your answers: your opinion, a reason, an example.
- Was it Values? Work through the official catalogue topic by topic instead of guessing.
- Shortly before the exam: a full dress rehearsal under real conditions, with an eye on the clock.
Do not start from zero, start from your weak spot. Take a model test, find out exactly where you get stuck and keep practising from there, with feedback on your Writing and Speaking tasks.
Find and fix your weak spotFrequently asked questions
Will I lose my residence permit if I fail?
Not automatically, but the exam is tied to deadlines and conditions. What applies in your case is something to clarify with the responsible authority or an advice centre. We cannot give you legal advice.
When can I take the exam again?
As soon as your centre has a free date. There is no maximum number of attempts, and each time you take the whole exam. Book a new date early and use the time in between for targeted practice.
What do most people fail on the first time?
Writing or Speaking. In these productive parts, on your own you lack the outside view of how an examiner grades your performance.
As of 28 September 2026, without guarantee. You will find binding information at the official bodies: sprachportal.at (ÖIF) · osd.at (ÖSD).