Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP)
Organization: Goethe Institute
Description: Candidates must show they have a good command of the regional variations of standard German. Must be able to understand complex authentic texts and to express themselves accurately both orally and in writing. Level compares with that of the "Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom" (KDS). The ZOP has a written section (text analysis, tasks that test the ability to express oneself, essay), listening comprehension, and an oral examination. Passing the ZOP makes you exempt from the language entrance examinations to German universities.
Where/When: Contact the Goethe Institute.
Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD, "Certificate German")
Organization: Goethe Institute
Description: Internationally recognized proof of a basic working knowledge of the German language. Candidates must be able to deal with everyday situations and have a command of basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students who have taken about 500-600 class hours can register for the exam.
Where/When: ZD exam dates are set by the examination centers. As a rule the ZD is offered one to six times per year, depending on location. The ZD is taken at the end of an intensive language course at a Goethe Institute.
Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB, "Certificate German for Business")
Organization: Goethe Institute
Description: A special German test aimed at business professionals. The ZDfB was developed by the Goethe Institute and the Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung (DIE) and is currently being administered by the Weiterbildungstestsysteme GmbH (WBT). The ZDfB is specifically for those students interested in business relations. Students attempting this exam should have already completed an intermediate level course in German and additional courses in business.
Where/When: The ZDfB may be taken at Goethe Institutes; Volkshochschulen; ICC members and other testing centers in over 90 countries.