TestDaF TDN Levels
Basic university readiness level
Speaking:
Can handle routine academic communication
Universities:
Limited acceptance - check individual university requirements
Standard requirement for most German universities
Speaking:
Effective academic communication with minor limitations
Universities:
Required by most German universities for admission
Advanced academic proficiency
Speaking:
Near-native academic communication abilities
Universities:
Exceeds requirements - preferred for competitive programs
TestDaF Speaking Tasks
Informationsersuchen
Information Request
Description:
Make a formal phone call to request information from a German institution
Context: University administration, student services, housing office
Example:
Call the International Office about exchange program requirements
Success Tips:
Use formal German (Sie), be polite and direct, ask clear questions
Situationsbeschreibung
Situation Description
Description:
Describe and compare a situation in Germany with your home country
Context: Daily life, cultural differences, educational systems
Example:
Compare university library systems in Germany and your home country
Success Tips:
Use comparative structures, include personal observations, be specific
Grafikbeschreibung
Graph Description
Description:
Analyze and describe statistical information from charts or graphs
Context: Academic presentations, research data, statistical analysis
Example:
Describe trends in German student enrollment over the past decade
Success Tips:
Identify main trends, use precise numbers, employ academic vocabulary
Stellungnahme
Opinion Statement
Description:
Present and justify your opinion on an academic or social topic
Context: University seminars, academic discussions, policy debates
Example:
Should universities charge tuition fees? Present your viewpoint.
Success Tips:
Structure argument logically, consider counterarguments, use examples
Problemlösung
Problem-Solving
Description:
Propose solutions to a practical problem in university context
Context: Student life challenges, academic problems, organizational issues
Example:
Suggest ways to improve international student integration
Success Tips:
Be creative but realistic, consider multiple solutions, explain benefits
Vor- und Nachteile
Advantages & Disadvantages
Description:
Discuss pros and cons of a proposal or situation
Context: Policy discussions, academic reforms, social issues
Example:
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of online learning
Success Tips:
Balance both sides fairly, use transitional phrases, conclude with opinion
Hypothesen
Hypotheses Formation
Description:
Form and explain hypotheses about causes or consequences
Context: Scientific discussions, cause-effect analysis, predictions
Example:
Explain possible reasons for declining birth rates in Germany
Success Tips:
Use conditional structures, show logical reasoning, consider alternatives
German Universities Requiring TestDaF
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
TDN 4 in all sections
Technische Universität München
TDN 4 (some programs TDN 5)
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
TDN 4 minimum
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
TDN 4 in all sections
Technische Universität Berlin
TDN 4 (engineering programs)
Universität Hamburg
TDN 4 standard requirement
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
TDN 4 in all sections
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
TDN 4 minimum
Common TestDaF Academic Topics
TestDaF German FAQs
What is TestDaF and who needs it?
TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) is the standard German proficiency test for university admission in Germany. International students need it to prove their German language skills for academic study.
What TDN level do I need for German universities?
Most German universities require TDN 4 in all four skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking). Some competitive programs may require TDN 5. A few accept TDN 3 in individual sections.
How is TestDaF speaking structured?
TestDaF speaking has 7 tasks in 35 minutes: phone information request, situation description, graph analysis, opinion statement, problem-solving, discussion advantages/disadvantages, and hypothesis formation.
How often can I take TestDaF?
TestDaF is offered 6 times per year at test centers worldwide. You can retake it as many times as needed. Many students take it multiple times to achieve TDN 4 in all sections.
What makes TestDaF different from other German tests?
TestDaF is specifically designed for academic contexts. Unlike DSH (university-specific), TestDaF is standardized and accepted by all German universities. It focuses on university-relevant German.
What TestDaF speaking assesses
TestDaF speaking rewards clear academic communication: task completion, organisation, appropriate register (formal Sie), and accurate use of academic German under strict time limits. Higher TDN bands require structured arguments, comparisons and data description.
Our AI replicates timing and prompts for all seven tasks and flags fast wins—linkers, formal openings, comparative phrases and chart language—to help you reach TDN 4–5.