The Test for Academic Studies, TestAS, is an aptitude test for foreign applicants from non-EU countries who want to undertake undergraduate studies at a German university. It assesses cognitive abilities that are particularly important for a successful course of studies. It does not require any specialist knowledge. Neither does it measure any aspects of personality, motivation or interest. The TestAS is available in two different formats: paper-based and digital. Both versions are offered three times a year. You can find out about test dates here. The TestAS is conducted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and measures your skills in two parts.

Part 1: called the Core Test consists of quantitative aptitude, inferring relations, pattern completion and numerical series.
Part 2: consists of a subjective Module Test (Humanity, Law, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Medicine, Business or Economics).

Is TestAS compulsory to study in Germany?

TestAS is mandatory for all Indian applicants planning to do undergraduate studies at German universities if they have not cleared JEE Mains and Advanced. TestAS is not compulsory for admission in MS in Germany, but some universities may ask for it. You may also decide to take TestAS to strengthen your academic profile, especially if your CGPA in undergraduate course is low.

Also Read: Eligibility Requirements to Study in Germany

What are the benefits of TestAS?

TestAS provides a selection criterion for German universities. They can thus identify applicants who have the necessary intellectual pre-requisites for the area of studies they are applying for. TestAS results will help you make informed choices. After the test, you will be able to realistically assess your chances of successfully completing your studies. You will also find out how you stand in comparison to other test takers and you become acquainted with typical requirements of the course of studies you are applying for.

What is the difference between the paper-based and the digital TestAS?

Both test forms are divided into a core test and a subject-specific module (see “How is the TestAS structured?”). Since the digital TestAS was newly developed and optimized for processing on the computer, the types of tasks also differ. However, both tests measure the same skills and the results of both versions are comparable. Another difference between the two formats is the duration of the test: The paper-based TestAS takes about 4.5 hours including a 30-minute break, the digital TestAS takes 3.5 hours. Furthermore, for the digital TestAS you can choose from six instead of four subjects for the Subject-Specific Test.

TestAS Structure

TestAS is conducted in German and English. Upon registration, test takers select the language which they are most familiar with. The test consists of following components:

The Core Test

The core test measures cognitive abilities required for successful studies in all academic courses. It takes 110 minutes and consists of four subtests:

1. Solving Quantitative Problems – provides practical problems to be solved by using basic arithmetic operations. This test measures mathematical thought and the ability to solve basic mathematical problems. The level of the arithmetic operations to be performed is elementary.
2. Inferring Relations – each question consists of two pairs of words. Two of the four words are missing, and you are to identify the matching words so that both pairs of words have an analogous relationship. This requires that you find the rule governing the analogy and select the words accordingly. This test measures logical linguistic thought. Test takers have to identify meaning, and generalise and abstract in order to find the rule. Eventually the rule has to be concretised in order to fill the gaps.
3. Completing Patterns– lines, circles, quadrilateral and other geometrical shapes are arranged in the fields of a matrix according to a specific rule. You are to find the rule and apply it by identifying the missing shape in the last field. This test measures logical graphic thought. Language skills or educational background are irrelevant.
4. Continuing Numerical Series – provides a series of numbers structured according to a specific rule. You are to find the rule and apply it in order to identify the missing number. This test measures logical numerical thought. Knowledge of the four basic arithmetic operations addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is sufficient to answer the questions.

Subject-Specific TestAS Modules

These tests measure cognitive abilities required for successful studies in selected areas of study. Candidates choose one of the following modules:

A. Economics Module:

This test module takes 150 minutes to complete and consists of two subtests:

• Analysing Economic Interrelationships – you are to analyse and interpret economic diagrams, charts and tables. This test measures mainly your ability to differentiate between relevant and unimportant data und to draw the correct conclusion from the information given. Background information will be provided if necessary.
• Analysing Processes – you are to formalise sequences of events and analyse flow charts. This test measures mainly the ability to convert concrete economic facts into models and to think within the context of formalised systems. It also measures critical thought in the sense that given facts are tested for correctness and not accepted as true a priori.

B. Engineering Module:

This test module takes 150 minutes to complete and consists of three subtests:

• Formalising Technical Interrelationships – you are to transfer technical or scientific facts described verbally into a formulaic presentation and to interrelate the arising parameters to each other. This test measures your ability to formalise, your deductive and combinatory powers and your ability to use basic mathematical tools of the trade. Deeper knowledge of mathematics and physics is not required to solve the problems – formulae and laws are given but must be used and interrelated correctly.
• Visualising Solids – you have to infer perspectives of a solid from one given view of the solid. The test measures your spatial sense.
• Analysing Technical Interrelationships – you have to analyse and interpret diagrams, charts or tables depicting technical laws or formulae. The test measures the ability to abstract from scientific and technical facts and to put abstract facts in concrete terms. Knowledge of mathematics, physics or technology is not needed, background information will be provided if necessary.

C. Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences Module:

This test module takes 150 minutes to complete and consists of three subtests:

• Understanding and Interpreting Texts – presents short texts on which questions are to be answered. This test measures the ability to read, understand, and correctly interpret different kinds of short texts with different content as well as to establish links between text elements and synthesise information from the text.
• Using Representation Systems Flexibly – shows the content of a text diagrammatically or, in the reverse case, a diagrammatic illustration has to be put into words. This test measures inductive reasoning (the ability to draw generalised conclusions on the basis of individual instances) in the linguistic field as well as the ability to derive what is concrete from the abstract and vice versa. In addition, it measures the ability to capture the meaning of diagrammatic illustrations and to put their content into words.
• Recognising Linguistic Structures  – comprises sentences in a fictive language and their German counterparts. The information provided is to be used to derive the meaning of individual words, semantic relations between the terms, and several grammar rules. Subsequently the newly acquired knowledge is to be used to formulate new sentences in the fictive language. This test measures the ability to recognise structures and inherent laws in language patterns and use these laws in new contexts. In addition, it is a matter of recognising semantic relations expressed by word order or other linguistic characteristics.

D. Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences Module:

This test module takes 145 minutes to complete and consists of two subtests:

• Analysing Scientific Interrelationships – presents texts and illustrations with natural sciences content on which questions are then posed. This test measures how well people can grasp and analyse simple natural sciences topics. It is also a matter of recognising interrelationships, separating important data from unimportant data and drawing the right conclusions from the presented information. Relevant background information is provided.
• Understanding Formal Depictions – involves transposing information from a text into a diagrammatic illustration (“flow chart”) and vice versa. This test, in one respect, measures the ability to transpose concrete natural sciences content into models and the ability to think in terms of formalised systems. In another respect, it measures critical thinking skills in the sense that the information provided has to be checked for correctness. What is more, this subtest seeks to verify the existence of a basic understanding of natural sciences

TestAS Preparation Material

TestAS Centers In India

TestAS can be taken all over the world in licensed test centres. You can find a list of all test centres here. Please note that some test centres offer only one of the test formats.

Dates for TestAS

You can take both TestAS formats three times a year. You can find the current TestAS dates here.

Paper-based TestAS: The deadline for registration and booking is about five weeks prior to the TestAS exam.

Digital TestAS: The deadline for registration and booking is about one week prior to the TestAS exam.

How is TestAS marked?

The results of each part of the TestAS are calculated automatically.

For the TestAS paper-based you will receive a differentiated certificate which indicates your achievements in the subtest in points, percentile ranks and standard values. The Digital TestAS certificate shows your performance for the core test and the chosen subject module in percentile ranks and standard scores. Both test takers and universities receive information about the ranking of the individual as compared to all other TestAS takers.
The percentile values of both test formats are directly comparable. A conversion table is available for a comparison of the standard values.

You will not find the predicates “passed” or “failed” on your certificate. There is no minimum score and thus no pass mark. The German universities will use the ranking lists which are based on the test results for the selection of applicants at their own discretion.

When and where do I get my results?

You can access your results about four weeks (paper-based TestAS) or two weeks (digital TestAS) after the test by logging into the TestAS website for test takers with your user name and password. You will not receive special notification when the results are uploaded. A sample of the certificate can be viewed.

For how long is the certificate valid?

The validity of the certificate is unlimited.

Universities accepting TestAS

In order to get admissions in German based educational institutions, TestAS examination is a prerequisite asset. These are some of the universities in Germany which accept TestAS:

• University of Cologne
• RWTH Aachen University
• University of Bremen
• Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg
• University of Greifswald
• University of Hamburg
• Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
• University of Heidelberg
• University of Ulm
• University of Freiburg
• University of Göttingen
• University of Leipzig
• University of Potsdam
• University of Regensburg
• Berlin School of Economics and Law
• University of Applied Sciences Mittweida
• Technical University of Telecommunications and Informatics Leipzig
• University of Wuppertal
• Technical University of Hamburg
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• Goethe University in Frankfurt
• Augsburg University
• University of Applied Sciences Berlin

FAQs on TestAS

Is there an age limit for the TestAS?

No. TestAS is aimed primarily at applicants and students planning to take a first degree in Germany but it is open to all age groups. It can also be taken during your last year in secondary school; you should not take it earlier than that.

Can I take parts of TestAS as separate tests?

No, you have to take the Core Test as well as one Subject-Specific Module. It depends on the course of study you want to apply for and on the admission requirements of the German universities which subject-specific test you choose. Modules are offered for Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences and Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. The digital TestAS also offers modules in Life Sciences and Medicine. If you would like to test only your language skills, please register for onDaF or TestDaF.

Can I repeat the TestAS?

Yes, you are allowed to repeat the TestAS as many times as you like. You should, however, take into account, that TestAS does not measure knowledge and skills which can be acquired and trained at short notice. Instead it measures relatively solid cognitive abilities. It is therefore unlikely that you will achieve a much better result at a later date.

Can I view my examination papers after the test?

Yes, you can view your examination papers and answers at the TestDaF Institute. For that purpose, you have to send an application to the TestDaF-Institute no later than 4 weeks after announcement of the test results. Within four weeks after the announcement of the test results you can apply for having your results checked. Your score will then be checked again by an Examination Board, and you will be notified of the result.

What do I need to bring for the test?

You are required to carry a valid ID (passport, identity card). It has to be the same ID that you used when registering for TestAS. You will need to present it at the identity check before the test. In addition, you will be asked to present the admission e-mail that your test centre sent to you in the run up to the test. You should also bring along a black or blue ballpoint pen.

Can I bring any aids?

No, neither dictionaries nor other reference books or teaching materials or calculators are allowed. For the paper-based TestAS you will be given everything you need at the test centre, including note paper. In the digital TestAS no notes are allowed. In case you use any forbidden aids you will be excluded from the test.

How long does it take to do the TestAS?

Paper-based TestAS: You will need 110 minutes for the core test. After a break of 30 minutes, you will start the subject-specific test which will take 145 to 150 minutes, depending on the module you choose.
Digital TestAS: The Core Test and the Subject-Specific Test each last 90 min. The pure examination time is therefore about three hours with a break of 30 minutes between the two examination parts.

What is the TestAS procedure?

Paper-based TestAS: The Core Test and the Subject-Specific Tests are paper-based tests in a multiple choice format. You will be given a test booklet for each module which contains the questions and a separate answer sheet. You are to mark the correct answer with a black or blue ballpoint pen on this machine-readable answer sheet.
Digital TestAS: In the Core Test and the Subject-Specific Module, you work on multiple-choice tasks on the computer. You click your answers on the screen with the mouse.

How do I obtain additional certificates?

You can log into the TestAS website at any time and print out as many copies as you like.

How can the university access my TestAS certificate?

As soon as you send your certificate or just your participant number and date of birth to the university, the university can verify your certificate at any time by logging into the TestAS website for universities (paper-based TestAS) or via the QR-Code on your certificate (digital TestAS ). It will no longer be necessary to physically authenticate copies.

Do all German universities accept the TestAS certificate?

The TestAS certificate is recognised by German universities who have included it in their admission regulations. The weighting of the TestAS results, however, varies depending on the university. While TestAS is compulsory for some universities or subjects, it is optional for others. Some universities do not require TestAS at all. Please inquire at the university or faculty you are applying to if TestAS is considered for admission.

Can I combine scores from different tests I took?

This is not possible. If you have taken part in the test several times, the most recent certificate will be shown by default. But you can decide which certificate the universities can view by marking this certificate in your individual portal. The universities can view only one certificate.