Very late reply but I’d recommend SDS if it’s immigration-related. It is accepted by all Swiss officials; it’s comparatively cheaper; results are super quick (3 business days and the results arrive by post, digially even quicker). Best part is that it’s an adaptive test - meaning rather than a pass/fail at A2/B1 etc, the test starts with easy questions and progressively goes up to a higher level until you can no longer answer (or time max out at 2hr 45min). It gives you 4 scores for reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Many people found it an easier exam, and are pleasantly surprised when they come out at a higher level than expected. I’d definitely recommend SDS.
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I also highly recommend SDS for all of the reasons @Flyingsophie said re: immigration / permits.
The SDS 2-hour tutor session (extra cost) was well worth it for me. It gave me a lot more confidence in my speaking which is exactly where I needed to improve - and therefore allowed me to perform at my best level without any nerves.
Getting the results within 3 days is great and gave me peace of mind too 
Conversely I had a friend who took FIDE and got a “no result” because of some internal testing error, they had to wait a month just to find that out, and were offered a retake. It probably happens rarely but given the effort to study / take time off work etc. and re-study it was a hassle for them.
I don’t know of anyone that took Goethe or Telc. so no experience there…
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I was planning on SDS until I saw this. Now I’m not sure if it will be accepted, so will look at telc instead.
I’d started to practice on the SDS material, but will change over to telc.
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Why not fide, or KDE?
P.S. I think I might even try the “dossier approach” (since I have some language certificate from my uni days)
Is there a statistic of average Hochdeutsch level among native Swiss-German speakers in Switzerland? Just curious.
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I think that random forum poster is just plain wrong. How could a language certificate be “only” accepted for C permit and not for naturalisation? It makes no sense, that doesn’t pass the sniff test 
I specifically checked with Liste der anerkannten Sprachzertifikate (PDF, 317 kB, 01.10.2025)
List of recognised language certificates. - updated Oct. 1, 2025
So SDS is 100% recognised.
That being said it has a footnote 11.
Which translates to:
The body responsible for this language certificate has committed to the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration) to meet the ALTE Quality Standards (Q-Mark Label) by the end of 2029. The SEM reviews the progress based on a progress report.
Therefore if you are applying for a C-permit or naturalisation between now and mid 2028, SDS will 100% be recognised.
AND I’m betting the people owning SDS will make sure to get that Q-mark standard fulfilled before that December 2029 deadline anyway…otherwise they’d lose a LOT of business.
If you’re still unsure - just email your geminde and ask, personally I just went through this and it was fine for me.
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I can’t speak for KDE, but FIDE my friend had a really bad experience with. Also it maxes out at “B1”, and then you have a wait an entire month to find out if you got what you needed to pass which can add stress depending on your timeline.
The reason I chose SDS was because:
- Results in 3 business days
- Chance to get even “higher” results because it maxes at B2 and is adaptive, so your result will always be your “highest” capable level which I feel is more fair. (With FIDE you can only get B1 even if you are capable of B2, and you specifically have to “choose” that route part way during the test or shoot for a lower A level.)
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Just to add to my comments – I signed up via https://deutschtest.ch
They seem to offer SDS, KDE, Telc, and GKT (but I only have experience with SDS)
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I think SDS if often preferable for the reasons you mentioned (fast to get results and can slot you above B1).
FYI did KDE (in Zurich if you apply without any certificate that’s what they ask you to do), maybe one difference is that 1/4 of oral comprehension is in swiss German (and you have an option to do the speaking/discussion in swiss German). For some people this might be a plus (if you have a lot more swiss German then Hochdeutsch exposure for instance).
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Hi all - same question but for French - which is the easier exam to pass for French B1 - FIDE vs DELF vs TCF vs TEF? I find MCQ type exams much easier. Thanks,
I did SDS and was very easy and it was accepted for my C permit in canton AG.
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