Exams to Study at German Universities

First, we advise you to read this article to know almost everything pertaining to studying in Germany – Thirty-three questions to ask about studying in Germany.

Second, we advise you to have a talk with our dedicated study abroad advisors who can give you all the basic information regarding what exams you (or any international students) need to crack to get admission to a German varsity. Exams will vary from university to university and will also depend on your academic qualifications.

Germany is a great destination for Indian students with its top-notch universities, comprehensive course options and great faculty. If you plan to apply to universities in top-notch for international students, planning ahead helps give you an edge. One of the first steps is to understand what exams you need to ace to improve your chance of getting accepted by the best universities in Germany. Apart from the language tests you are used to, you will also have aptitude tests to take. Here is a primer on the tests and what they encompass.

Exams to take to study in Germany

Universities in Germany for international students require acceptable scores from specific exams. Here are the most common ones that you will need to take:

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

The test is the most popular English language proficiency test that is accepted by not just universities in Germany but across the world in English-speaking countries. The test is not just for gaining admission into German universities for academic programs but also for immigration purposes or for applying for a work permit. In fact, even the DAAD scholarship in Germany has an IELTS requirement.

You have two options for the IELTS test. You can take it at a nearby designated test centre or choose the computer-based test. Generally, for studying abroad, it is the IELTS academic test that you have to enrol for. However, it is smart to check which language test your chosen university accepts before you book your test slot.  

This test has four segments: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. Each segment has its own band score and there is an overall test band score too. Universities typically have minimum requirements for both overall and individual band scores. The Speaking part of the test is conducted with an examiner face-to-face irrespective of whether you are taking the test online or on paper.

The scores for your IELTS test, valid for two years, are available 3 to 5 days after a computer-based test and 13 days after a paper-based test.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign language

The TOEFL test is also very commonly accepted globally and it has a similar pattern with Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing segments. There are three options for taking the TOEFLiBT (TOEFL Internet-based) test: at a test centre, the home edition taken at home, and the paper edition.

The test scores, valid for two years, are available to you within 6 days after your exam date. You have the option to show your best scores from the tests you have taken in the previous two years to universities in Germany you are applying to. Each university may have its own minimum requirements for these scores. This is another English language proficiency test that is accepted for DAAD Germany scholarships.

TestDaF - Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache/ Test of German as a Foreign Language

This is a German language proficiency test that measures how ready you are to attend a course that is taught primarily in German. All universities in Germany for international students accept either this German language proficiency test or the DSH test, which comes next on our list.

The TestDaF has four segments: Listening, Reading, Written and Oral.  You can take this test in India at various sites and the results are given to you in five or six weeks. Around 50,000 people take the test every year now and since its introduction in the year 2001, it has come to be known as a very reliable language proficiency test for German.

If you are applying for a program that has course content taught in German, then check the minimum requirements for TestDaF scores on the university website. This changes from one institution to another. For example, for undergraduate and graduate admissions in the technical universities in Munich, you may need a Level 4 in all sections of the TestDaF. However, for technical universities in Munich Masters, you may not have any minimum mandatory scores for your IELTS or TOEFL but a good TestDaF score can have great practical value, helping you with interactions. 

DSH - Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang

The other popular German language proficiency test is the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH). This is quite similar to the TestDaF but it is divided into the oral and written test sections. However, it does test your skill sets in reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension quite thoroughly and evaluates if you are ready for admission to a German-taught course. The oral portion of the DSH is held after you clear the written segment. You have to clear both sections to get your DSH certificate, which is valid permanently.

This test is held at German universities and some may only allow students who have applied to them to take this test at their site. Most universities in Germany require a minimum of DSH-2 certification as your score.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

This test evaluates your critical thinking and reasoning and is a common test universities in Germany rely upon to admit international students into business programs. You can take the GMAT test at home online or at a test centre. 2400 universities spread across 100 countries accept this test. If you want to enrol in an MBA program at one of the top universities in Germany, taking the GMAT test is an important first step. 

GMAT scores are assigned to Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, and a Total score is also given. These scores are valid for five years. Since this test carries penalties for unanswered questions, it is a good idea to thoroughly understand the test format and scoring pattern and also practice enough so you understand how to tackle it. Your scores are available between seven and twenty days after you complete the test.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

The GRE test is widely used to evaluate students applying for business, law and graduate programs across the world. If you are applying to universities in Germany for engineering programs, you may find that GRE scores are mandatory.

You can take the test at home or in a designated test centre. The test is held at different centres around the world at regular intervals all seven days a week.

The sections in the GRE test are quantitative reasoning, analytical writing skills and verbal reasoning. The scores are allocated for each of the three sections and they are available to you eight to ten days after you take your exam. You will be intimated via email. Since the scores are valid for five years, you can take the test well in advance when you decide to study in Germany.

FAQ

Q: Are these exams all mandatory for admission to universities in Germany for international students?

Ans: No, while English language proficiency and GRE/ GMAT may be a common requirement for most universities and programs, you generally do not need the TestDaF or DSH if you are applying for courses taught in English. But for courses taught in German, they are needed and some universities may insist on them even otherwise.

Q: Is IELTS mandatory for study in Germany?

Ans: In general, since you are from a non-English speaking country, your proficiency in English has to be proven via such language tests if you apply for programs that are taught in English. IELTS is one of the most trusted and widely accepted tests. Many universities in Germany accept IELTS scores to prove your ability to fluently speak and understand English. However, whether it is mandatory or not depends on the course and the university you are applying to.

Q: Do I need to know German?

While it is not absolutely necessary, there are many programs that are taught in German. Also, it helps to know the language to get around the country and make your stay easier. Some universities also ask for German language proficiency test scores along with your applications.

Entrance exams like these open up avenues for you to study abroad in the country of your choice. Each country may have slightly different requirements for international students. To prepare for your further study in Germany, it helps to have a clear picture of the exams you need to clear so you can gear up to score well.