German for Foreigners / TestDaF - The Test



The TestDaF - a New Measure of German Language Proficiency



The TestDaF - Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache /Test of German as a Foreign Language - is a language test suitable for learners of German at an intermediate to high level of language proficiency.

The TestDaF provides the universally recognised proof of the language skills required for admission to any German university.The TestDaF is administered by a worldwide net of licensed test centres and thus can be taken in the candidates ’ home country.

The TestDaF is suitable for:

  • students who wish to start or continue their university studies in Germany,
  • students who need a proof of their proficiency in German for other purposes,
  • academic staff who want to establish their level of knowledge of the German language prior to a
  • study visit in Germany,
  • professionals who have to document their proficiency in German.

The TestDaF is a standardised language test assessing linguistic performance within the context of university life at an intermediate to advanced level.Within the scale of the European Framework of Reference the TestDaF comprises the levels B 2.1 (old level 3)to C 1.2 (old level 5). The TestDaF has been developed for candidates with a considerable knowledge of German (e.g.after approx.700 hours /teaching units).The TestDaF examination may also be taken as a placement test and can be taken any number of times.

The TestDaF measures several levels of language performance.Each candidate ’s scores are aggregated to determine the candidate ’s performance as to one of the following levels:

  • TDN 5 - TestDaF--Niveaustufe 5 (TestDaF level 5)
  • TDN 4 - TestDaF--Niveaustufe 4 (TestDaF level 4)
  • TDN 3 - TestDaF--Niveaustufe 3 (TestDaF level 3)

TDN 5 is the highest level.A score below TDN 3 shows that within this subtest the candidate has not yet reached the lowest level measured by the TestDaF.

TestDaF examines the following four language skills in separate subtests:

  • reading comprehension
  • listening comprehension
  • writing
  • speaking

Based on the scores achieved in each of the subtests,the TestDaF provides a differentiated linguistic profile of the applicant.

Further information and test: TestDaF-Institut