The FIDE exam is a standardized test that assesses a non-Swiss national’s proficiency in Switzerland’s official languages. It proves that you can comprehend and converse in French, Italian, or German, a skill that is necessary when integrating into the local community. With proper language education, adequate study, and relevant experience, passing the FIDE exam can be a breeze.
However, if you don’t get a good score the first time around, don’t fret. You can take the FIDE test as many times as you want. You can even take it again if you do pass but simply want a certificate with a higher proficiency level once you’re more comfortable with the language!
About the FIDE Exam
The FIDE exam is often a prerequisite for residency in Switzerland. The language you need to be tested on will typically depend on where you’re based in the country. For example, if you live in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, you must take the FIDE test for German.
Here’s how FIDE test certification works:
- Learn the language, either by enrolling in a language school, studying on your own, or immersing yourself in real-life experience.
- Register for the FIDE exam at least fifteen days before the test date. You can take the exam in a test center outside of your current city.
- Take the FIDE exam.
- Wait for the results, which you’ll receive about four weeks after the test. If you pass, you’ll receive a Language Passport that shows your language proficiency.
How the FIDE Exam Is Scored
The FIDE exam consists of two parts: oral and written. The oral test gauges your comprehension and speaking skills, while the written exam checks your reading and writing abilities. Both tests can be taken independently of each other or combined in one sitting.
The test is graded based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and assigns you a level between A1 to B1. If you’re aiming for a higher proficiency level, you’ll have to take a different exam.
Once you pass the test, you’ll receive a Language Passport that reports your score and proves your competency in the language. You can use this for various purposes, including naturalization and applying for a residency permit. How a FIDE certificate helps with residency is simple: it’s often required before you can legally stay in the country for long periods of time.
Here’s a quick overview of the points you need for each proficiency level:
- Oral test:
- A1: 26% of 44 points
- A2: 65% of 44 points
- A2: 43% of 60 points
- B1: 79% of 60 points
- Written test:
- A1: 39% of 48 points
- A2: 76% of 48 points
- A2: 39% of 59 points
- B1: 63% of 59 points
No result will be given if you don’t achieve at least level A1.
What Happens If I Don’t Pass the FIDE Exam?
If you don’t pass the FIDE exam, you can retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test. You can even retake it if you’ve already passed but would like a higher score. For example, if you got an A1 level on your first try and have improved your language skills, then you can take the test again and aim to achieve a B1 level.
Ace the FIDE Exam With German Academy Zurich
Before you retake the FIDE exam, be sure that you’ve pinpointed your areas in need of improvement and take the necessary steps to hone your language skills so that you can confidently pass the test the next time around.
German Academy Zurich can help you improve your German comprehension and proficiency so that you can obtain your Swiss Language Passport and kickstart your journey in Switzerland. Book an A1 or A2 language course that you can access anytime and from anywhere today!
