Testdaf stands for Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache which translates to ‘Test of German as a foreign language’ and is a German proficiency language test for non-native German speakers. The Testdaf exam covers levels B2 to C1 on a scale of six laid down by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The Testdaf exam helps candidates trying to get admission or do research in German universities. The test includes listening & reading comprehension, writing, and speaking, and German universities recognize Testdaf results. This test can be taken in 95 different countries around the world.
What is Testdaf Exam?
The first Testdaf exam was conducted on 26 April 2001. The proposal to introduce a language examination for international students enrolling in German universities was made in 1996. This proposal came into action on 1 August 1998; three modal tests were drafted and tested worldwide before 31 July 2000.
The duration of the Testdaf exam is 3 to 3.5 hours and is conducted across the world in different countries. It is among the most popular and accepted language proficiency tests because universities across Germany accept it.
Testdaf exam in India Cities
The Testdaf exams are conducted in five different cities in India, and the details are as follows:
| City | Institute |
| Chennai | Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan |
| Coimbatore | PSG College of Technology |
| New Delhi | Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe-Institut |
| Pune | Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe-Institut |
| Bangalore | Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe-Institut |
Testdaf exam in India format
There are two test formats of the Testdaf exam, and they are:
- the paper-based Testdaf exam
- the digital Testdaf exam.
The structure of the paper-based Testdaf includes Reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression. The structure of the digital Testdaf exam includes reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
Testdaf exam dates 2022 India
The Testdaf exam dates 2022 are conducted in different cities in India through various organizations.
The Testdaf exam is conducted six times a year, and these are the dates for 2022
- 18.05.2022
- 14.06.2022
- 20.07.2022
- 13.09.2022
- 13.10.2022
- 10.11.2022
The Testdaf exam can be taken in the five cities mentioned below and the corresponding dates for the exam.
| City | Date | Institute |
| Chennai | 20.07.202213.10.2022 | Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan |
| Coimbatore | 20.07.2022 | PSG College of Technology |
| New Delhi | 13.09.202213.10.202210.11.2022 | Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan |
| Pune | 13.09.202213.10.202210.11.2022 | Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan |
| Bangalore | 13.10.2022 | Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan |
| 18.05.202214.06.2022 | Past dates when the Testdaf exams were conducted |
The result evaluation will take 6 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively, for the paper-based Testdaf exam and digital Testdaf exam.
Testdaf exam 2021 Format
The Testdaf exam is conducted on both paper-based and digital tests, the duration of paper-based is 195 minutes, and the duration of the digital test is 190 minutes.
The paper-based Testdaf exam follows the same structure, and the detailed structure is as follows:
| Sections/Parts | Description | Duration | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3 reading texts:Short textsJournalistic textText from the journal | 30 items:10 assignment items10 multiple-choice items10 items yes/no/text says nothing about it | 60 minutes |
| Listening Comprehension | 3 audio texts:DialogInterviewLecture/interview | 25 items:8 short answers10 items true/false7 short answers | 40 minutes |
| Writing | 1 task | Write a structured text with graphic descriptions and reasoning | 60 minutes |
| Oral Expression | 7 tasks | Speaking in various typical university situations | 35 minutes |
The digital Testdaf exam is carried out online in the g.a.s.t test centers (gesellschaft für akademische studienvorbereitung und testentwicklung e.v) follows the same structure and the detailed structure is as follows:
| Sections/Parts | Description | Duration |
| Read | 7 tasks34 items | 55 minutes* |
| Listen | 7 tasks30 items | 40 minutes |
| Write | 2 tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speak | 7 tasks | 35 minutes |
*The count of tasks and duration may vary, but the duration will be the same for candidates based on the questions.
Testdaf exam fees in India
The Testdaf exam fees in India for 2022 are 100 Euro, approximately INR 8,500 in India.
Testdaf exam in India: How to Crack
You can prepare for the Testdaf exam by joining training institutes either physically or online, based on your preference. There are institutes like Curiotory, where there is a customized German curriculum to suit the needs of the students. You can also learn the curriculum online at the Testdaf website.
The Testdaf website has tutorials that match the examination pattern. Candidates must have gone through and practised all the modules so the exam can be cracked. The modules and their details are as follows:
Module: Read
- Fill in the blank/gaps
- Arrange text in sequence
- Multiple-choice questions
- Match statements
- Detect errors in statements/paragraph
Module: Listen
- Short answers: complete the overview
- Match phonetic to the image
- Detect errors in statements/paragraph
- Multiple-choice questions
Module: Write
- Write an argumentative text
- Summarize information from text and images
Speak
- Weigh options
- Summarize text
- Criticize statements
- Present a topic
- Present arguments and defend the topic
Testdaf exam sample papers
Practice materials for listening, writing, reading, and speaking sections are available for Start Deutsch 1 exam. The practice materials are available in the below link:
Material that can be accessed online
Material that can be downloaded
A1 Set of model exercises
- A1 Set of model exercise – listening module sample audio
- A1 Set of model exercise – speaking module sample video
A1 Set of practice exercises 01
- A1 Set of practice exercises 01 – listening module sample audio
- A1 Set of practice exercises 02 – listening module sample audio
Model tests for the paper-based TestDaf
Testdaf exam preparation
There are many preparatory courses for the Testdaf exam across the world. The training courses are conducted by the test centers and other language training centers. The details can be obtained from the official website of Testdaf.
The Testdaf classifies participants’ language skills at the fourth or fifth level of competency (B2 or C1). To take the exam, your German language knowledge should be equivalent to competence level B2.
The candidate should have gone through 700 to 1000 45 minutes of teaching in the German language.
A candidate’s preparedness can be checked by attending a placement test on the Testdaf website, giving a fair idea if the candidate will be able to crack the Testdaf exam.
Testdaf Exam
The Testdaf exams consist of four parts; the candidate will have to prepare so the TDN is scored greater than TDN 3 to achieve the minimum qualifying factor.
- Reading Comprehension
- TDN3 – overall meaning and important details of written text can also be understood; the candidate can partly understand the written text on general academic topics
- TDN4 – overall meaning can be understood by the candidate and specific details of written texts relevant to common study-related situations and general academic topics that are mainly written in the non-specialized language.
- TDN5 – The candidate understands the overall meaning as well as specific aspects of linguistically and structurally complex written materials relevant to frequent study-related situations and general academic topics.
- Listening Comprehension
- TDN3 – overall meaning and important details of spoken text can also be understood; the candidate can partly understand the spoken text on general academic topics
- TDN4 – the main ideas of spoken text can be understood by the candidate, including non-specialized language.
- TDN5 – The candidate can understand the meaning and specific details of complex spoken text on general academic topics.
- Writing
- TDN3 – The candidate can write comprehensible and structured text on common topics and can write simply structured text in a general academic context. Linguistic and structural deficiency may impair understanding.
- TDN4 – The candidate can structure the sentence appropriately to the context; linguistic deficiency may impair understanding.
- TDN5 – The candidate can write well-structured text in a style appropriate to the context using different vocabulary and in a general academic context.
- Speaking
- TDN3 – The candidate can communicate on common topics; linguistic deficiencies may slow understanding. The communication will have to improve.
- TDN4 – The candidate can communicate on common topics; there is no linguistic mistake while speaking.
- TDN5 – The candidate can communicate clearly in a style appropriate to the context using proper vocabulary in common study-related situations and general academic contexts.
The scores are between TDN 3 and TDN 5; there is no score below TDN 3 as it is considered not qualified. If a candidate scored TDN 5 on all four parts, i.e., Reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and speaking, then the total score will be a TDN 20. In general, most of the universities in Germany accept a TDN 16 for admission.
In conclusion, Testdaf examinations are very popular for non-native German-speaking students and researchers. The advantages of Testdaf exams are as follows:
- The Testdaf certificate is recognized in all German universities
- The language skill necessary for studying in Germany is assessed in the Testdaf exam.
- The content of Testdaf is all related to scientific, academic, and all topics related to study.
- The Testdaf can be taken in the respective home country, which cuts down on traveling to Germany to take the exam.
- The Testdaf exam certificate is valid for an unlimited period.
- The Testdaf examination can be taken multiple times till the candidate is satisfied with the result.