fide test example
fide test example: what the tasks look like (A2 and B1)
Here you will find examples of the main tasks of the fide test, from the picture description to the phone call and the letter. The examples are in German with an English translation; the French test has the same tasks. All examples are our own practice tasks in the test format.
The test at a glance
The fide test has two parts, which you can take together or separately. In the full test the oral part always comes first. At the end of it, the examiners recommend whether you take the written part at A1–A2 or A2–B1. You decide.
| Part | Time | Tasks (A2–B1) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking and listening | 40 minutes | Describe a picture, a phone call, a conversation; at B1 a conversation on one of two topics; listening |
| Reading and writing | 60 minutes | Read ads and notices; reply to an email (A2); a formal letter and an email to a friend (B1) |
Speaking A2: describe a picture
You see a picture of everyday life and describe who is where and what is happening. For A2 the situation has to be understandable; for B1 you add some details and make the connections clear.
Auf dem Bild ist ein Bahnhof. Eine Frau mit einem Kinderwagen fragt eine Angestellte etwas. Vielleicht fährt ihr Zug nicht, denn auf der Anzeigetafel steht eine Störung. Links kauft ein Mann ein Billett am Automaten. In English: The picture shows a train station. A woman with a pram is asking a member of staff something. Maybe her train isn’t running, because the departure board shows a disruption. On the left a man is buying a ticket at the machine.
Speaking A2: phone call
The examiner plays a person on the phone, for example at a doctor’s surgery. You make, move or cancel an appointment – and give a reason.
Praxis: Praxis Dr. Meier, guten Tag. Sie: Guten Tag, hier ist Ana Silva. Ich habe am Donnerstag um 9 Uhr einen Termin. Leider kann ich nicht kommen, weil mein Kind krank ist. Praxis: Kein Problem. Passt Ihnen Montag um 14 Uhr? Sie: Am Montag arbeite ich bis 16 Uhr. Geht es auch um 17 Uhr? Praxis: Ja, Montag um 17 Uhr. In English: You say you can’t come on Thursday because your child is ill, and agree on Monday at 5 pm instead.
Speaking B1: conversation on a topic
At B1 you choose one of two topics. You talk about your experiences, name advantages and disadvantages, and say what you would do in a certain situation.
Where do you usually shop – in a shop or online? Why? What are the pros and cons of shopping online? Tell us about a purchase that went wrong. Imagine there were no more shops. How would you feel about that?
Listening
You hear short everyday conversations, for example at a ticket counter or a doctor’s surgery. At A1–A2 you choose the matching picture out of three; at B1 you answer questions about what you heard, orally. You don’t have to read anything.
The official model test on fide-service.ch includes listening examples with audio files.
Our own audio texts: choose the picture (A2) or answer questions (B1), each played at most twice – as in the test.
The same practice for the French test.
Reading B1
You read five short ads and, for each one, choose the right statement out of three (A, B or C). In a second task you read a notice, for example from your municipality, and choose the right summary out of three, twice.
Velo zu verkaufen – Damenvelo, 3 Jahre alt, 7 Gänge, mit Licht und Korb. Hinten neuer Pneu. Preis CHF 180, Abholung in Talwil. Nur am Wochenende erreichbar. A) Das Velo wird nach Hause geliefert. B) Das Velo hat vorne und hinten neue Pneus. C) Man kann den Verkäufer am Samstag anrufen. Answer: C – the seller can only be reached at the weekend (“nur am Wochenende erreichbar”).
Writing: letter and email
At A2 you reply to an email, for example about an appointment. At B1 you write a formal letter and an email to a friend. Each writing task gives you three points you have to cover.
You had your e-bike repaired at “Velo Bühler AG”. The invoice says CHF 380, but in the shop they told you CHF 250 – and the brake is faulty again. Write a letter: 1. Explain why you are writing. 2. Describe what is wrong. 3. Say what the company should do now.
Practice sheet (PDF) and official model test
Our own tasks in the fide format: reading with answers, three writing tasks, two conversation topics and a picture description. The French version is linked below.
The same tasks for the French test.
The fide secretariat publishes a full model test with answers and audio files for free on fide-service.ch.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a fide test PDF to practise with?
- Yes. The fide secretariat offers a complete model test with answers and audio files for free on fide-service.ch. Our practice sheets in German and French (PDF) add more tasks in the same format.
- Do I register for A2 or B1?
- No. You register for the test, not for a level. In the oral part everyone starts with the A2 tasks after a short warm-up; then the examiners recommend continuing at A1 or B1. You decide.
- Can I use a dictionary?
- No. Phones, watches, dictionaries and notes are not allowed. You hand in your phone and watch before the test.
Sources: fide test handbook (May 2026), regulations for taking the fide test (October 2026) and fide-service.ch. As of November 2026; the information from the fide secretariat and your authority is what counts.