German exams · B2-C1

TestDaF

TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache, run by the TestDaF-Institut of g.a.s.t.; results on the TestDaF-Niveaus. Run by TestDaF-Institut (g.a.s.t.); university admission; TDN 4 in all four parts is the usual requirement.

The exam in detail

Two formats with the same goal and the same levels: the digital TestDaF (at the computer in a g.a.s.t. test centre) and the paper-based TestDaF. Both have four parts - Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen - which are scored separately and shown separately on the certificate; results below TDN 3 appear as "unter TDN 3".
University admission: a TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in all four parts counts as proof of language proficiency for admission to all degree programmes at German universities (RO-DT § 4). Universities may accept a lower TDN in single parts for some subjects (e.g. TDN 3 in Schreiben for Informatik or Ingenieurwissenschaften) or demand TDN 5 (e.g. Übersetzungswissenschaften); TDN 5 lies above the admission level. Recognised by all German universities for all programmes; offered at over 500 test centres in about 100 countries. Topics and tasks always relate to university study; no subject knowledge is required.
Digital TestDaF - Lesen: 7 Aufgaben, 34 items, about 55 minutes (Lückentext 5 items, Textabschnitte ordnen 4, Multiple-Choice 7, Sprachhandlungen zuordnen 4, Aussagen Kategorien zuordnen 7, Aussagen einem Begriffspaar zuordnen 4, Fehler in Zusammenfassung erkennen 3). Hören: 7 Aufgaben, 30 items, about 40 minutes (typed short answers, matching, multiple choice, Laut- und Schriftbild abgleichen; audio and video sources). Tasks come in a fixed order, you cannot go back, and extra try-out tasks are mixed in but not counted.
Digital TestDaF - Schreiben: 2 Aufgaben, about 60 minutes, typed: an argumentative text of at least 200 words and a summary of a reading text plus a graphic of about 100-150 words. Sprechen: 7 Aufgaben, about 35 minutes, with a fictional conversation partner over headphones and recorded answers; speaking times from 0:45 to 2:30 minutes per task (Rat geben, Optionen abwägen, Text zusammenfassen, Informationen abgleichen und Stellung nehmen, Thema präsentieren, Argumente wiedergeben und Stellung nehmen, Maßnahmen kritisieren).
Digital scoring: each part is transformed to a scale of 0-20 points (total 0-80): 0-4 = unter TDN 3, 5-9 = TDN 3, 10-15 = TDN 4, 16-20 = TDN 5. Lesen and Hören are scored automatically (short answers by trained raters); Schreiben and Sprechen are rated by trained raters on whether the text refers to the topic, covers all points of the task, carries out the required Schreib-/Sprechhandlungen, renders the sources correctly in your own words, uses precise expression with varied grammar, vocabulary and Redemittel, and stays comprehensible despite some errors (Sprechen also: fluency, pronunciation and intonation).
Paper-based TestDaF: pure exam time 3 h 15 min with breaks between the parts. Leseverstehen: 3 texts (Kurztexte, journalistischer Text, Text aus einer Fachzeitschrift), 30 items (10 Zuordnung, 10 Multiple-Choice, 10 ja/nein/Text sagt dazu nichts), 60 minutes - after 50 minutes you get 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the Antwortblatt. Hörverstehen: 3 texts (Dialog, Interview, Vortrag/Interview), 25 items (8 Kurzantworten, 10 richtig/falsch, 7 Kurzantworten), 40 minutes incl. 10 minutes for the Antwortblatt after Hörtext 3. Schriftlicher Ausdruck: 1 task, a structured handwritten text with Grafikbeschreibung and Argumentation, 60 minutes. Mündlicher Ausdruck: 7 tasks in typical university situations, 35 minutes, at the computer with headphones - there is no live examiner conversation.
Paper-based scoring: 1 point per correct item (Lesen max 30, Hören max 25); the TDN thresholds are set per test version by statistical analysis - TDN 5 from 24, 25 or 26 points (Lesen) / 19, 20 or 21 (Hören), TDN 4 from 20-22 / 15-17, TDN 3 from 14-16 / 10-12. Each of the 7 speaking tasks is assigned to TDN 3, 4 or 5.
Fee and certificate validity are not stated on the official overview pages; ask the test centre for the current fee and the university for how old the certificate may be.

The facts above are the reference notes the Eszett tutor is given when you ask about this exam; they follow the providers' published regulations and handbooks. Check the provider's site for current fees and dates. Other exams: which German exam is right for you.