Texts are taken from radio programmes, speeches and lectures. There is one single text lasting approximately ten minutes. Candidates demonstrate their understanding of the text by taking notes and by writing a short guided summary of the text . Candidates must be able to talk on a topic which deals with aspects and problems of contemporary life and to participate actively in the discussion of such a topic. They are expected to organise their spoken discourse in such a way that main and subordinate points are clearly distinguished.
Candidates have fifteen minutes to prepare a reading text and questions set on it.
The first part of the oral examination involves reading the text aloud and discussing the topic with the examiners . The second part consists of a talk on a topic of general interest, which is given one week in advance and which tests the ability to talk coherently and logically. Finally, the candidate participates in a conversation with the examiners on the topic of the talk. Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates. This is an examination at an advanced level, which is recognised by German universities for matriculation purposes.