TestDaF - German as a Foreign Language
The Test of German as a Foreign Language – TestDaF – is an exam for anyone who has good knowledge of German and wants to test it. Licensed examination centers exist in many countries around the world.
TestDaF serves as proof of language skills for: students wishing to begin studies at a German university or continue in Germany studies started at home; students who need to prove their knowledge of German in their home country; researchers planning a stay at a German university; anyone who needs knowledge of German for academic work.
TestDaF assesses four types of language skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression. Three levels are distinguished: TDN-3, TDN-4, TDN-5.
TestDaF can be taken at one of the licensed examination centers in the country where you live (Testzentrum in Ihrem Heimatland). Or at one of the 150 examination centers in Germany (Testzentren in Deutschland). It is held several times a year. Specific dates (genauen Termine) can be found on the website www.testdaf.de. The exam is paid, and its cost varies by country; details about the fee can be obtained from your examination center.
You submit a written application to the examination center of your choice. The certificate with scores is sent by mail six to eight weeks after the exam.
DSH - Exam for University Admission
The German language exam for university admission (DSH) is administered by some German universities. As a rule, DSH is taken three to four weeks before the start of the upcoming semester at German universities. Specific dates are set by the university itself.
DSH consists of two parts: a written and an oral exam. The written exam takes place before the oral part. The use of a dictionary is permitted during the written part. The written exam lasts three to four hours and includes the following:
* comprehension and analysis of an audio text;
* comprehension and analysis of a printed text;
* composition of a text according to given criteria;
* comprehension and analysis of structures of academic language.
DSH does not involve grading. The exam result is only "pass" or "fail," but grades may be given additionally. The exam is considered passed if at least two-thirds of the tasks in both parts (written and oral) are completed. Upon passing, a certificate is issued.
At many universities, taking the exam is free. Some, however, charge a fee of €30 to €60. DSH can only be retaken once, after at least three months.
DSD II Level
The Deutsches Sprachdiplom der KM - a German language diploma issued by the Conference of Ministers of Education of the Federal States - is the standard of qualified knowledge of German for studying in Germany. It serves as proof of the required level of German for university admission. The prestige of this certificate lies in the fact that it serves as the standard for all other language tests in German as a foreign language, whose equivalence to DSD must be checked and confirmed by the Conference of Ministers of Education of the Federal States. Currently, DSD can be taken in 50 countries worldwide. DSD II is accepted at some special schools with German language instruction located outside Germany, which have agreements recognizing them as examination centers and are coordinated with the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA). The exam is conducted by a committee chaired by an authorized teacher from Germany. The written part is processed and evaluated centrally in Germany.
Small German Language Diploma KDS
The Small German Language Diploma for Foreigners (Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom) is awarded by the Goethe Institute Inter Nationes on behalf of Ludwig Maximilian University (Munich).
Exam tasks are developed jointly by the Goethe Institute in Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University. Processing and evaluation of results are carried out centrally by both institutes.
The content level of the exam topics is oriented towards the knowledge of candidates with a general education level who read the press. Situations and themes in the exam structure may relate either to the use of German in a German-speaking country or to German as an international language. No specialized or historical knowledge is required to understand the exam texts. However, familiarity with the realities of European life is assumed.
KDS may be taken by all interested persons who have advanced spoken German as a foreign language. Persons aged at least 18 are admitted to the exam. Those who are native speakers of German are not admitted. The exam consists of written and oral parts.
The KDS exam is conducted in 77 countries worldwide, including at universities and Goethe Institute centers in Germany and Goethe Institute branches worldwide.
Information about the exam can be found on the website: //www.goethe.de
Large German Language Diploma GDS
The Large German Language Diploma for Foreigners (Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom) is awarded by the Goethe Institute Inter Nationes on behalf of Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich.
Exam tasks are developed jointly by the Goethe Institute in Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University. Processing and evaluation of results are carried out centrally by both institutes.
The content level of the exam topics is oriented towards the knowledge of candidates with a general education level who read the press. Situations and themes in the exam structure may relate either to the use of German in a German-speaking country or to German as an international language. No specialized or historical knowledge is required to understand the exam texts. However, familiarity with the realities of European life is assumed.
Any interested persons with advanced conversational German as a foreign language may take the GDS. Persons at least 18 years old are admitted. Persons with native German language skills are not admitted. The exam consists of a written and an oral part.
The GDS is the highest level in the hierarchy of language exams offered by the Goethe Cultural Center and imposes the greatest demands on the language skills of participants. The exam requires near-native command of German in all areas of private, professional, and public life.
Information about the exam can be found here: //www.goethe.de
Central Advanced Level Exam ZOP
The Central Advanced Level Exam ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenpruefung) certifies proficiency in modern German and the ability to apply in-depth knowledge. In terms of difficulty, it corresponds to the level of the small German diploma KDS.
ZOP tests language proficiency across a wide range of topics and situations. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a variety of language means, nuanced expressions, and a wide range of idiomatic expressions. Any persons with high-level German as a foreign language may take the ZOP. Admission is from age 16.
At the Goethe Cultural Center branches in Germany, the ZOP is usually taken only after attending advanced language courses. The ZOP consists of a written and an oral part.
ZOP is also conducted outside Germany – at Goethe Cultural Center branches or authorized institutes.
Information about the exam can be found here: //www.goethe.de
Based on materials from DAAD.Ru