Hard to beat: Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS).

Both the Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) and the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) call for very highly advanced linguistic skills. They both correspond to the sixth and highest level (C2) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The examinations have a strong focus on literature.

After passing the examination, as for ZOP, you will be able to do the following, for example:

• easily understand everything you read and hear in German,
• summarize information from various written and spoken sources, logically recounting reasons and explanations,
• spontaneously express yourself with great fluency and accuracy and formulate the right nuances in meaning even when dealing with more complex topics,
• analyze literary texts and answer demanding questions on them.

Further information and exercises for the
Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS)

Exam guidelines (PDF, 633 KB)
Terms and conditions for exam administration (PDF, 142 KB)
Supplement to the terms and conditions for exam participants with
   special needs (PDF, 594 KB)
Information for examination candidates with special needs (PDF, 61 KB)

The Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom demonstrates that you have a solid command of standard German as spoken and understood across the country. You understand difficult authentic texts (primarily literary texts) and can express yourself well orally and in writing. This exam is comparable to the difficulty level of the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung, but also demonstrates general knowledge of German society and culture.

Detailed description of the KDS exam