DaF - German as a Foreign Language - Exams - TestDaF

The following exam dates are scheduled at the Universität Regensburg test center in 2022:

You can register for the exam via the registration page on the TestDaF website. It is not possible to register directly at the test center in Regensburg.

A few days after the registration deadline has passed you will receive a letter of admission with important information about the exam. Please make sure you bring the signed letter of admission to the exam.

The TestDaF exam costs €195.  The fee is paid directly to the TestDaF Institute. Payment at the Universität Regensburg test center is not possible.

• Reading comprehension (3 reading texts, duration: 60 minutes)
• Listening comprehension (3 listening texts, duration: approx. 40 minutes)
• Written production (1 writing tasks, duration: 60 minutes)
• Oral production (7 speaking tasks, duration: approx. 35 minutes)

The exam takes 3 hours and 10 minutes without breaks. Candidates take a 30-60-minute break between the comprehension and expression tasks. There is also another 10-minute break between the reading and listening comprehension tasks.

All tasks are in some way connected to the topic of higher education. Since the TestDaF exam is available for candidates from all disciplines and programs who might not necessarily have much prior knowledge about certain subjects, the tasks and topics are fairly general and accessible.

TestDaF is a centrally assessed exam. All exam papers are sent to the TestDaF Institute in Hagen (Germany) for assessment.

Test scores from all four parts of the test are divided into one of three levels:

• TestDaF Level 3 (TDN3)
• TestDaF Level 4 (TDN4)
• TestDaF Level 5 (TDN5)

There is no one final grade, instead, the certificate shows one TestDaF level per skill.

The highest score you can achieve is TDN5, the lowest TDN3. Results that fall below level 3 are not graded. In this case, the certificate only states “below level 3.” In the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the TestDaF levels 3,4, and 5 correspond to levels B2 and C1.

• Photo ID
• Signed letter of admission
• Ballpoint pens with black or blue ink

The exam can be repeated as often as needed.

In order to successfully pass the TestDaF exam, you should have a very good command of German. The TestDaF Institute recommends completing 700-1000 hours of German lessons before taking the exam.

You can find out if you are ready to take the TestDaF exam by taking the 10-minute “fit for the TestDaF” placement test. For a more accurate representation of your German skills, you can also take the onSET-Deutsch test.

The Department of German as a Foreign Language currently does not offer TestDaF Preparation courses. However, “Horizonte,” a language school in Regensburg, does offer TestDaF Prep courses.

In general, our test center mails out certificates to candidates approximately 6 weeks after the date of the exam. As soon as we receive your certificate, you will get an email from our Office asking whether you would like to pick it up in person or have it sent to you by mail. If you choose to have your certificate sent to you by post, please be sure to give us your current address.

The certificate does not expire.

You can get a second certificate for €20.  You can order it directly from the TestDaF Institute using the contact form. Please include your name, your current address, your candidate number, and the date of the exam.