What is fide?
The fide language certificate was developed on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and is recognized throughout Switzerland. With the help of the fide test result, graduates can have their language skills certified for German, French and Italian. Upon completion of the fide language certificate, participants receive a language passport that separately identifies oral and written language competencies. The fide test refers to the language levels A1, A2 and B1. The exercises on the fide test relate to everyday situations such as at work, a visit to the doctor, shopping or going to the authorities. The fide test consists of an oral part, which tests speaking and understanding, and a written part, which tests reading and writing. A special feature of the fide test is that you can achieve a separate language level for the oral and the written part, because you first take the test and then you are classified (i.e. graduates can achieve e.g. an oral language certificate on B1 level and a written language certificate on A2 level).
What does the A1 fide test cost?
As an accredited fide examination centre, ILS has been conducting the fide language certificate at CEFR levels A1 to B1 for several years. The entire fide language certificate A1 costs CHF 250 at ILS.
The oral part (speaking and comprehension) of the A1 fide test costs CHF 170 at ILS.
The written part (reading and writing) of the A1 fide test costs CHF 120 at ILS.
What does the A2 fide test cost?
As an accredited fide examination centre, ILS has been conducting the fide language certificate at CEFR levels A1 to B1 for several years. The entire fide language certificate A2 costs CHF 250 at ILS.
The oral part (speaking and comprehension) of the A2 fide test costs CHF 170 at ILS.
The written part (reading and writing) of the A2 fide test costs CHF 120 at ILS.
What does the B1 fide test cost?
As an accredited fide examination centre, ILS has been conducting the fide language certificate at CEFR levels A1 to B1 for several years. The entire fide language certificate B1 costs CHF 250 at ILS.
The oral part (speaking and comprehension) of the B1 fide test costs CHF 170 at ILS.
The written part (reading and writing) of the B1 fide test costs CHF 120 at the ILS.
How long is a fide certificate valid?
In general, all recognised language certificates and language certificates issued by fide are valid for life.
However, a new language certificate may be required if the language certificate in question dates back many years and an authority has significant or reasonable doubts about the person's current language level.
Can I take the fide test online?
The fide test cannot be taken online. It takes place on site at an accredited verification institution.
How long does the fide test take?
The oral part of the fide test covers speaking and comprehension and takes about 40 minutes.
The written part of the fide test includes reading and writing and takes about 65 minutes.
There is a break between the oral and written parts.
Is the fide certificate valid for naturalisation?
Since 01.01.2018, proof of language proficiency has been required for naturalization - the fide language passport is proof of this. The fide language certificate is recognized throughout Switzerland. It is valid throughout Switzerland with authorities, for residence permit extensions B or C and for naturalization. It can also be used when applying for further education at Registration or when looking for a job.
Where can I prepare for the fide test?
If you decide to attend professional German lessons in preparation for the fide test, then ILS is the right place for you. The ILS offers a wide range of German courses. Whether you are looking for a compact intensive course, a regular German course to accompany you in your everyday life or a private course specially tailored to you - at ILS you will find your ideal German course. The German courses offered by ILS are adapted to the individual needs and preferences of the participants. All teachers have several years of experience in running German courses. Especially for the fide test, our German teachers have specific expertise and can optimally prepare the students for it.
The ILS has central and easily accessible locations throughout Switzerland. You can find all the exact location information here:
ILS Aarau https://ils-aarau.ch/about-us/locations/
ILS Basel https://ils-basel.ch/about-us/locations/
ILS Bern https://ils-bern.ch/about-us/locations/
ILS Zürich https://ils-zuerich.ch/ueber-uns/standorte/
How can you prepare for the fide test?
There are several ways to prepare for the fide test. In general, it is very helpful to practise and use the language as often as possible. You can do this privately by getting practice books, having conversations with people who already speak the language, reading books in the language or watching films in the language.
Professional German lessons can also contribute significantly to passing the fide Test Deutsch. Here, too, there are numerous possibilities. On the one hand, there are online platforms with the help of which one can learn German. However, these language learning websites do not have a real, present teacher, which makes it more difficult for many learners because mistakes cannot be pointed out immediately or incomprehensibilities can be clarified. Therefore, professional German courses at reputable language schools are highly recommended. Language learners have the opportunity to adapt their language lessons to their individual needs and preferences and benefit from the many years of experience of competent teachers.
Particularly at ILS, you can prepare for the fide Test Deutsch in German classes. Special fide test crash courses work specifically towards the fide test. The teachers have several years of experience in teaching German courses and know exactly what is important. If participants would like more language instruction in addition to the group course, additional private lessons can of course be booked to eliminate specific difficulties or to intensify language instruction again before the test. The German courses of the ILS for the preparation for fide tests German are characterized by an excellent success rate and a high recommendation rate. In addition, take advantage of the opportunity to attend a non-binding trial lesson at ILS.
You can find all information about the ILS German courses here:
ILS Aarau https://ils-aarau.ch/language-courses/crash-courses-fide-preparation/
ILS Basel https://ils-basel.ch/language-courses/crash-courses-fide-preparation/
ILS Bern https://ils-bern.ch/language-courses/crash-courses-preparation-fide-test/
ILS Zürich https://ils-zuerich.ch/sprachkurse/crashkurse-fide-vorbereitung/
Where is there a fide examination centre?
As an accredited fide examination center, the ILS has been successfully conducting fide examinations for German for several years. A major advantage of the ILS is that, as an International Language School, it offers language courses that are specifically geared towards the fide exams. On the other hand, the ILS has several central and easily accessible locations throughout Switzerland. You can find detailed information as well as the Registration for the fide test and different exam dates here:
ILS Aarau https://ils-aarau.ch/language-courses/fide-test-aarau/
ILS Basel https://ils-basel.ch/language-courses/fide-test-basel/
ILS Bern https://ils-bern.ch/language-courses/fide-test-bern/
ILS Zürich https://ils-zuerich.ch/sprachkurse/fide-test-zuerich/
What is the fide certificate important for?
The fide language certificate is primarily important for Switzerland. It is valid throughout Switzerland with the authorities, for residence permit extensions B or C and for naturalization. It can also be used when applying for further education at Registration or when looking for a job. Language tests from Germany, France and Italy are not suitable for checking language integration in Switzerland.
