Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP)

This is an examination at an advanced level, which is recognised by the German universities for matriculation purposes.

There are five components:

Reading

Candidates are expected to understand authentic non-fictional texts on topics of general interest taken from newspapers and magazines. They must show comprehension of gist, detailed content, tone and register. They are also tested on their wider knowledge of vocabulary, phrasal expressions and idioms.

There is a single text of about 800 words in length, with a total of about twenty items. Candidates must demonstrate comprehension of the text by answering open-ended questions on the text and by finding synonyms to certain words, for example.

Writing

Candidates are expected to write non-specialised texts which are formally and structurally accurate, with coherent expression of ideas and appropriate register.

There are two types of writing task from which the candidate chooses one. The first is a composition on a topic which deals with aspects and problems of contemporary life; the second is a composition on one of the four set books. Candidates should write approx. 250 words.

Listening

Candidates are expected to understand longer monologues on topics of general interest.

Texts are taken from radio programmes, speeches and lectures.

There is one 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.

Speaking

Candidates are tested individually by two examiners. Candidates are expected 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.

Structural Competence

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of the language system by completing tasks based on the topic of a reading text.

There are approx. 40 items of the following task types: rational cloze, finding synonyms or antonyms and sentence transformations.

Weighting of components

Writing, Speaking and Structural Competence carry approx. 25% of the total marks each, Reading approx. 15%, and Listening approx. 10%.

Results

There are three pass grades: sehr gut (very good), gut (good), and befriedigend (satisfactory).

Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates.