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Usually asked forTestDaF or DSHTypical level: B2–C1 (TDN 4 or DSH-2)
Most German universities ask for TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in every section, or DSH-2, for degree courses taught in German. Some also accept Goethe C1 or C2 and telc C1 Hochschule. Always check the specific university. The exams side by side
All five measure German on the six levels of the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference), from A1, beginner, to C2, mastery. The general certificates cover every level; the university exams only test the levels needed for study.
| Exam | Run by | Levels | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe-Zertifikat | Goethe-Institut | A1–C2 | Four modules (reading, listening, writing, speaking), which can be taken separately from B1 up. | General use worldwide, work, residence |
| telc Deutsch | telc gGmbH | A1–C2 | Four skills in one sitting; versions for work, healthcare and university (C1 Hochschule). | Work, integration courses, specific professions |
| ÖSD | Österreichisches Sprachdiplom | A1–C2 | Four skills; similar format to Goethe. | Austria, and accepted across the German-speaking world |
| TestDaF | TestDaF-Institut | B2–C1 | Academic German in four sections, taken on computer; each scored TDN 3, 4 or 5. | University admission in Germany |
| DSH | individual universities | B2–C2 | Set and marked by the university itself; results DSH-1 to DSH-3. | Admission to that university |
What counts as a pass
Each exam sets its own pass mark. Check the current handbook of your exam before you book, because formats are revised every few years.
Goethe-Zertifikat60% in each moduleFrom B1 up, reading, listening, writing and speaking are separate modules; you can retake only the module you failed.
telc Deutsch60% in the written part and 60% in the oral partThe two parts are marked separately, so a strong written exam cannot make up for a weak oral one.
TestDaFTDN 3, 4 or 5 in each sectionThere is no single pass mark. Most universities ask for TDN 4 in all four sections.
DSHDSH-1: 57% · DSH-2: 67% · DSH-3: 82%Percentages of the total score. DSH-2 is the usual requirement for a degree course.
Try a Goethe-Zertifikat mock at your level
Each mock has one task for every module: Lesen with a translation to check yourself, Hören with audio and a transcript, grammar marked instantly with word-by-word glosses, a Schreiben task with a model answer, and Sprechen prompts.
Preparing skill by skill
Every exam tests the same four skills. For each, the task type you will meet and the Evolang guide that prepares you for it.
ReadingLesen Several texts of increasing length with multiple-choice, matching and gap tasks. At C1: opinion pieces and academic texts. Tip: Read the questions first, then the text. Watch for negation and qualifiers like kaum and nicht nur. Graded reading →
ListeningHören Announcements, interviews, lectures; heard once or twice depending on the part. Tip: Listen for the verb at the end of the sentence before choosing an answer. German listening →
WritingSchreiben An email or letter, and at B2+ an argued text or summary. Tip: Structure first: introduction, two sides, conclusion. Use a range of connectors. Writing practice →
SpeakingSprechen A short presentation and a discussion, often with a partner. Tip: Interact: react to your partner, ask questions, agree and disagree. Speaking practice →
Phrases for the speaking test
The oral exam rewards clear structure and natural interaction. These phrases buy time and show control. More are in speaking practice.
Startingikh MÖKH-tuh Ü-buh … SHPREKH-un“I’d like to talk about …”Über takes the accusative: über das Thema.
IchImöchtewould-likeüberabout…(topic)sprechen.to-speak
StructuringAIR-stuns … TSVY-tuns … AP-shlee-sunt“Firstly … secondly … finally …”Each takes slot 1, so the verb follows at once: Erstens ist das …
Erstensfirstly…zweitenssecondly…abschließendfinally
Buying timeLAS-un zee mikh KOORTS ü-buh-LAY-gun“Let me think for a moment.”Polite Sie form, right for an examiner.
LassenletSieyoumichmekurzbrieflyüberlegen.think
ClarifyingKÖN-tun zee dee FRAH-guh BIT-uh vee-duh-HOH-lun“Could you repeat the question, please?”Könnten (Konjunktiv II) is softer than können.
KönntencouldSieyoudietheFragequestionbittepleasewiederholen?repeat
Opinionikh bin dair MY-noong, das …“I am of the opinion that …”Dass sends the next verb to the end of the clause.
IchIbinamderof-theMeinung,opiniondassthat…
Reactingdas ist ine in-tuh-reh-SAN-tuh POONKT“That’s an interesting point.”Interessanter: -er because Punkt is masculine after ein.
DasthatistiseinaninteressanterinterestingPunkt.point
Disagreeingdah ZAY-uh ikh das ET-vas AN-duss“I see it a little differently.”A polite way to disagree without saying “no”.
DathereseheseeichIdasthatetwassomewhatanders.differently
Concludingtsoo-ZAM-un-fas-unt kan man ZAH-gun“To sum up, one can say …”Man is the impersonal “one”, common in formal speech.
Zusammenfassendsumming-upkanncanmanonesagen,say…