Exam preparation · TestDaF
TestDaF preparation online for your degree in Germany
Do you want to study in Germany and need the TestDaF? In our online course you prepare live for the digital TestDaF: with tasks in the computer format, training in describing graphs and building arguments, and timed speaking practice. The goal is the TDN result your university requires.
5.0 on Google (125 reviews)since 20151 in 25 teacher applicants passes our selection
At a glance
digital TestDaF in brief
| Duration | reading approx. 55 min., listening approx. 40 min., writing approx. 60 min., speaking approx. 35 min. |
|---|---|
| Parts | four parts on a computer in a fixed order: reading (7 tasks), listening (7), writing (2), speaking (7) |
| Level/scale | 0 to 20 points per part; TDN 3 (5 to 9), TDN 4 (10 to 15), TDN 5 (16 to 20) |
| Result/validity | a TestDaF level (TDN) for each part; the university decides which levels it needs and how recent they must be |
| Used for | proof of German for university admission; according to the TestDaF-Institut, recognised by all German universities |
TestDaF preparation online: what we offer
Our TestDaF preparation is a live online course, taught one-to-one or in a small group of no more than six. It starts with a placement and diagnostic test, followed by a study plan up to your test date. You train all four parts in the digital TestDaF format, sit timed practice tests and get feedback on writing and speaking.
The TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache, a test of German as a foreign language) is a standardised exam for anyone who wants to study at a German university. The digital version is taken on a computer at licensed test centres. According to testdaf.de, it has four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking. How the TestDaF compares with DSH, Goethe and telc is explained in our article German language exams at a glance.
At choices® we teach German as a foreign language. Your teacher knows the digital TestDaF format and also helps you practise the technical side, such as speaking into a microphone while a timer counts down.
What the course includes
- placement and diagnostic test in TestDaF format
- a study plan up to your test date, matched to your target TDN
- strategies for every task type in reading, listening, writing and speaking
- corrected texts and recorded spoken answers with feedback
- at least one complete practice test under exam conditions
Who is the TestDaF the right certificate for?
The TestDaF suits anyone applying to one or more German universities who wants to prove their German before arriving in the country. It is standardised, marked centrally and can be taken worldwide. The result you need is set by each university for each degree programme, so check the requirements for your course before you book a date.
According to the TestDaF-Institut, the certificate is recognised by all German universities. Many universities ask for TDN 4 in all four parts, although individual programmes may set different requirements. So check the admission regulations (Zulassungsordnung) for your programme or ask the university’s International Office.
TestDaF or DSH?
The DSH is run by the universities themselves, usually on site and often linked to a preparatory course. If you are still in your home country or applying to several universities, the TestDaF usually gives you more flexibility, because one result works for all of them. If your university requires the DSH, see our DSH preparation course.
Digital TestDaF: exam parts and how we train them
The digital TestDaF consists of reading with seven tasks (about 55 minutes), listening with seven tasks (about 40 minutes), writing with two tasks (about 60 minutes) and speaking with seven tasks (about 35 minutes). The parts run in a fixed order. We train each part with its own strategies and within the right time frame.
Reading
The texts come from university life. We practise understanding instructions quickly, searching for information in a targeted way and not getting stuck on single questions. Because you cannot go back to tasks you have already completed, managing your time matters a great deal.
Listening
You hear conversations and lectures from student life. We train note-taking while listening and short, precise answers where you have to formulate them yourself.
Writing
You write an argumentative text and summarise information from a reading text and a graph. We build ready-to-use phrases for both tasks, such as „Die Grafik gibt Auskunft über …“ (the graph shows …) or „Wägt man die Argumente ab, so …“ (weighing up the arguments …), and correct your texts against criteria such as task completion, structure and accuracy.
Speaking
You do not talk to a person. Instead, you respond through headphones and a microphone to prompts after a short preparation time. Many candidates find this strange at first. So we practise with time limits, record your answers and go through them together: did you answer every part of the question, is the structure clear, is the tone right?
Tell us the date and your target score. We will suggest a realistic preparation plan.
TDN 3, 4 or 5: which result to aim for
In the digital TestDaF you receive 0 to 20 points for each of the four parts. These translate into a TestDaF level (TDN): TDN 3 for 5 to 9 points, TDN 4 for 10 to 15 points and TDN 5 for 16 to 20 points. Under 5 points is below TDN 3. Your target depends on what your university requires.
The point ranges come from the official marking information for the digital TestDaF. Reading and listening are mostly marked automatically, writing and speaking by trained raters using fixed criteria. Because each part counts separately, a strong part cannot make up for a weak one if your university asks for TDN 4 in every part.
For your preparation this means: after the diagnostic test we can see which part is still below target and make it the focus. Very often that is writing and speaking, because both require you to produce German actively under time pressure.
How long does TestDaF preparation take?
If your German is already at roughly B2 to C1, pure exam training often takes eight to twelve weeks with two or three lessons a week. If your level is lower, you first need to build your language skills, often over several months. Plan your test date so that your result arrives in time for the application deadline.
| Phase | Content |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | diagnostic test, results by part, study plan |
| Weeks 2 to 5 | writing: argumentation and describing graphs, reading strategies |
| Weeks 6 to 8 | listening with note-taking, speaking with time limits |
| Week 9 | complete practice test under exam conditions |
| Weeks 10 to 12 | fine-tuning your weakest parts |
If the foundations are not there yet, start with our German courses online. We do not guarantee a result, but we will tell you honestly whether your date is realistic. Examples of graph descriptions and useful phrases can be found in our article on Goethe, telc, TestDaF and DSH.
One-to-one lessons, small groups and prices
You prepare one-to-one or in a small group of no more than six, always live online, so you can start while still abroad. Individuals pay from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson. Companies or institutions preparing international employees or scholarship holders book from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson.
For the TestDaF we usually recommend one-to-one lessons, because writing and speaking need a lot of individual feedback and your lesson times have to fit your time zone and application deadline. A small group works well when several people at a similar level share the same goal. The test fee is not included in our prices; you pay it when you register for the test.
Teachers of German as a foreign language with TestDaF experience
Your teacher teaches German as a foreign language, is trained in exam preparation and knows the task types and marking logic of the digital TestDaF. Only about 1 in 25 applicants passes our selection. If your teacher changes, we hand over your diagnostic results, study plan, texts and recordings in a structured way, so no lesson time is lost.
Feedback is specific: which part of a task is missing, where the argument jumps, which phrase would make the text clearer. For the speaking tasks we listen to your recordings together. Many learners realise for the first time how much time they actually have and how to use it better.
Registering for the TestDaF: what we take care of
choices® does not run the TestDaF or issue certificates. You register through the TestDaF-Institut for a date at a licensed test centre and pay the fee there. We help you choose a date that fits your application deadline and your current level, and we build your study plan around it so the timing works.
Dates and registration are on testdaf.de. A good routine helps against nerves on test day; you will find ideas in our article Overcoming exam anxiety. For an overview of every exam we prepare for, visit our exam preparation page.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare for the TestDaF entirely online?
Yes. Lessons, practice tests and speaking practice all take place live online, including from abroad. You sit the test itself on a computer at a licensed test centre.
Which TDN result do I need?
Many universities require TDN 4 in all four parts. For some degree programmes the requirement may be higher or lower. The admission regulations of your university are what count.
What is different about the digital TestDaF?
You complete all parts on a computer in a fixed order and cannot go back to finished tasks. In speaking you answer through headphones and a microphone rather than in a conversation with examiners.
How much does the preparation cost?
Individuals pay from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson, companies and institutions from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson. The test fee is not included.
Do you guarantee a particular TDN?
No. Nobody can honestly guarantee a result. Practice tests do show you how close you are to your target in each part.
Do you also prepare for the DSH?
Yes. If your university requires the DSH, see our DSH preparation page. During your placement we work out which route makes more sense for you.