Digital TESTDaF: Format, Dates, Registration Process, and Scoring System

International students wishing to study in Germany must demonstrate their proficiency in the German language. The most common way for students to do this is by taking the TESTDaF. TESTDaF stands for ‘Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache’ or the Test of German as a Foreign Language. This exam is conducted in paper-based and online formats. The Digital TESTDaF is the online version that you can take anywhere in the world at an authorised test centre. This blog covers everything you need to know about the TESTDaF online exam. You will understand what the exam is, its format, and its scoring pattern, universities accepting the test scores, exam centres, and more.

What is TESTDaF Digital?

Digital TESTDaF is a German language test that international students can take. This test is taken by students who want to enrol in an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Germany. The examination determines whether you have the necessary language skills to study at a German university. You need at least B2-level language skills to get admission.

The exam results are also internationally recognised as proof of your German language skills.  Therefore, it is taken by those who want to prove their language skills for academic professions or scientific projects. 

The exam is held at over 500 licensed test centres in 100 countries. It is the TESTDaF-Institut that conducts this centralised and standardised exam.

Digital TESTDaF Format

The TESTDaF consist of reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. This is an online computer test held at authorised test centres. You are first required to complete the reading section. Thereafter, you can complete the listening, writing, and speaking sections. The answers to the writing and listening sections are often typed. The speaking section answers are recorded. You cannot return to a section after the time for it is over.

S.No.	Exam Section	Number of Questions / Tasks	Description	Duration (approx.)
1	Reading	7 tasks, 34 items	Read and analyse academic-style texts; identify main ideas, details, structure, vocabulary; various formats like gap-fill, categorisation, error detection.	55 min
2	Listening	7 tasks, 30 items	Listen to academic discussions/lectures; answer questions, assign statements, detect errors, compare spoken/written texts.	40 min
3	Writing	2 tasks	Write an argumentative essay and summarise from text/graphics; integrate sources, structure ideas, and revise text.	60 min
4	Speaking	7 tasks	Respond to prompts in study/social contexts; give advice, compare info, summarise, present, and critique measures.	35 min

Apart from the above tasks, you are required to complete additional tasks. However, the responses to these questions are not taken into account while calculating your test scores.

Also Read: Entrance Exams for German Universities: Complete List

Scoring System for TESTDaF

The TESTDaF exam results are given on a three-level scale. It is called the TESTDaF-Niveaustufe (TDN). There is no pass or fail in this exam. Similarly, there is no overall single score that is given to a candidate. Instead, your Digital TESTDaF certificate will consist of a separate TDN for each of the four sub-tests. This allows the universities to access your specific strengths and weaknesses. Most German universities require you to score at least TDN 4 in all 4 parts of the exam.

S.No.	TDN Level	CEFR Equivalent	Description	University Admission Relevance
1	TDN 5	C1	Highest score; very high proficiency for academic use.	Fully meets and exceeds language requirements.
2	TDN 4	B2/C1	Solid academic German is; common requirement for most universities.	Standard admission requirement for German universities (TDN 4 in all sections).
3	TDN 3	B2	Basic academic German ability; may be accepted if balanced by higher scores in other sections.	Accepted by some universities; check program-specific requirements.
4	under TDN 3	Below B2	Insufficient proficiency for academic studies.	Not accepted for university admission.

TESTDaF Fee Structure 

The exam fee is standardised. However, the fee is different for the paper-based and online tests. The TESTDaF digital will only cost EUR 210. The paper-based exam can only be taken in Germany at an authorised test centre. It will also cost a bit more.

S.No.	Examination Type	Total Fee (EUR)
1	TESTDaF Digital	210
2	TESTDaF Paper-based	215

Also Read: Free German Lessons Online for Beginners 

Steps to Register for the TESTDaF Digital 

The TestAF registration process is simple. You can visit the official website (TESTDaF) and then register for the test. To register, first you need to check the dates and ensure that the test date is available for Digital TESTDaF. Choose the ‘online’ application for the test date you want to register and then start the registration process. The registration process is as follows:

1. Create a My TESTDaF account. This is where you can register, get your admit card, and even results.
2. Select a test date and centre: The test date can be auto-applied based on the link you have chosen under the dates section. To go to the link for registration. Otherwise, you can choose the test dates. You will be given an option to choose test centres. Enter your location to find out the nearest test centre.
3. Upload documents and provide information: Upload a photo, and provide identification details such as your passport details and national ID card.
4. Pay the exam fee: At this stage, you will be required to pay the exam fee
5. Get confirmation: A confirmation email is sent after the registration form is submitted.

You must register early for the examination. This will help you get the desired test centre.

Digital TESTDaF: Upcoming Exam Dates (2025 and 2026)

The exam dates for paper and online exams are different. The exam dates for the online examination are provided below:

S.No.	Digital TESTDaF Date	Year
1	18 September	2025
2	13 November	2025
3	9 December	2025
4	20 January	2026
5	3 March	2026
6	21 April	2026
7	11 June	2026
8	22 September	2026
9	12 November	2026
10	10 December	2026

Do German Universities Accept TESTDaF?

Yes. All German universities accept the exam scores. The exam results are internationally recongised. Most German universities require you to score at least TDN 4 in all sections. A few universities may accept TDN 3 in all sub-tests. The top universities accepting TESTDaF online scores are provided below:

Top 10 Universities Accepting Digital TESTDaF

Here is a list of the top ten universities that accept the exam results. The QS World Ranking of these universities and their general requirements, are provided below:

No.	University	QS World University Ranking 2026	General TESTDaF Score Requirement
1	Technical University of Munich (TUM)	=22	TDN 4 in all four sections
2	Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)	=58	TDN 4 in all four sections
3	Heidelberg University	80	TDN 4 in all four sections
4	Free University of Berlin	=88	TDN 4 in all four sections
5	Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)	=98	TDN 4 in all four sections
6	RWTH Aachen University	=105	TDN 4 in all four sections
7	Humboldt University of Berlin	130	TDN 4 in all four sections
8	University of Freiburg	201	TDN 4 in all four sections
9	University of Bonn	=207	TDN 4 in all four sections
10	University of Tübingen	=215	TDN 4 in all four sections

TESTDaF Digital Results 2025-26

The online test-takers can receive their test results in 4 weeks. However, the paper-based exam results are available only after 6 weeks. You can log in to your account to view the results. The results are available in a PDF format and can be downloaded. The results’ applicability in universities is provided below:

No.	TESTDaF Level (TDN)	CEFR Level	University Acceptance
1	TDN 5	C1	Yes (excellent score above requirement)
2	TDN 4	B2 / C1	Yes (standard score required)
3	TDN 3	B2	Limited (may accept if your overall application is strong)

Exam Centres in India 

The Test of German as a Foreign Language has more than 500 test centres in over 100 countries. This includes even language schools like the renowned Goethe-Institut. There are test centres even in India. This means you can take the digital exam from India itself. Test centres are in almost every major city in the country. You will get the list of the test centres during the registration process.

Is the Digital TESTDaF Harder Than the Paper-Based Version?

The difficulty level of the TESTDaF exam depends solely on the German proficiency level of the candidate who is taking the exam. The digital exam is not harder than the paper-based format. However, it is important to remember that the digital exam is conducted by the computer, and it requires you to complete more tasks. Therefore, time management is crucial for clearing the online paper.

Is TESTDaF Harder than Goethe?

Yes. The TESTDaF exam is considered harder than the Goethe exam. The reason is that your four skills are tested. That is, your German language skills in reading, listening, writing, and speaking in an academic context. Moreover, this exam is trickier. There is also no average score. Universities in Germany require you to score at least TDN 4 in all these sections. Compared to Gother C1, it is a more specialised test. A comparison table is provided below:

No.	Aspect	TESTDaF	Goethe C1
1	Purpose	Designed for academic/university contexts in Germany; required for admission to many programs.	General advanced German proficiency for work, study, or personal goals.
2	Level Range	TDN 3–5 (B2 to C1 CEFR).	C1 CEFR.
3	Content Focus	Academic tasks: lectures, seminars, research texts, academic writing, and discussions.	Broader topics: social, cultural, work-related, and some academic themes.
4	Skills Tested	Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking — all with academic focus.	Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking — general and advanced language.
5	Scoring	Separate TDN score for each skill (no overall score).	Pass/fail with graded performance levels.
6	Difficulty	Similar to Goethe C1 but more specialised; challenging if unfamiliar with academic German.	Similar difficulty but more general; may be easier if strong in everyday German but less in academic contexts.
7	Recognition	Accepted by almost all German universities as proof of language proficiency.	Widely recognised worldwide, some universities accept it for admission.
8	Preparation Need	Requires familiarity with academic formats and terminology.	Requires a broad vocabulary and strong grammar for general advanced communication.

5 Tips to Prepare for the TESTDaF

The TESTDaF preparation is essential to clear this paper. You need at least 2-3 months of strong preparation to score well. Here are some tips that will be useful in your preparation.l

1. Make use of the model test papers. This will help you to become familiar with the format, training and difficulty level. You can also practise with the German podcasts and tests to understand the formal language.
2. Strengthen your academic vocabulary; You can do this by learning words that are common in research reports, lectures, and discussions. Learn connecting words in German for the writing and speaking section.
3. Take a mock test in similar test conditions: You can take mock tests in similar testing conditions. Practise taking the test in one single sitting.
4. Learn the writing structure. Learnt the essay format and how to summarise key details.
5. Develop note-taking skills for listening and speaking sections; Learn how to take notes for important ideas in the listening section. In speaking, these notes can help you to stay structured and avoid long pauses.

This video explains how you can clear the TestDaF exam in 5 months.

In short, TESTDaF exam is a popular German language proficiency test for international students enrolling in universities. Generally, you need at least a TDN 4 score to be admitted to universities in Germany. This is equivalent to the B2 level.

FAQs

Related Articles:

How to Study in Germany after 12th?	Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students
Cost of Living in Germany: A Guide	All About Germany Study Visa
PSW Visa in Germany For Indian Students	Is It Easy to Get a PR in Germany After studying in 2025?

Want to know more about the study abroad entrance exams? Connect with the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu. You can also call us at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session. We can help you with everything from choosing the perfect university to guiding you through the application process.