Are you going to study in Germany for a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree? It doesn’t matter if it's English-taught programs or German-taught programs; you still need to give one exam. It can be a language proficiency test, or aptitude test, sometimes a university entrance exam.
Choosing the right entrance exams is the first big step for your journey to study in Germany. Depending on if you want a Bachelor degree or a Master in Germany, the requirements will change. Most students start by checking their English proficiency because many PG courses are now taught in English. You will likely need to take the IELTS or TOEFL to prove you can understand the lectures.
For undergraduate students, your school leaving certificate is not enough for direct entry. You have to clear the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) after a foundation year at a Studienkolleg. Some colleges also ask for the TestAS. Indian students are lucky because many technical universities now accept JEE Advanced scores for direct admission to UG courses.
If you are a science or business student looking at postgraduate studies, some top schools might ask for GRE or GMAT scores, even though many public universities don't require them. And don't forget the APS certificate. Lastly, if your course is in German, you must clear TestDaF or DSH to show your language skills. Planning these exams 6 to 8 months early is the best way to avoid stress.
Also Read:
| Job Opportunities in Germany |
- Which Exams Do You Need to Study in Germany?
- IELTS vs TOEFL - For English-Taught Programs
- German Language Proficiency Exams – For German-Taught Programs
- Aptitude Exams for Studying in Germany
- Aptitude Tests for Postgraduate courses
Which Exams Do You Need to Study in Germany?
To study in Germany, you need to clear specific exams based on your course language and level. For English programs, you must take IELTS or TOEFL. If your course is in German, TestDaF or DSH is required. Undergraduate students often need the TestAS aptitude test or might use JEE Advanced scores. For postgraduate studies in technical or business fields, some top universities ask for GRE or GMAT
| Exam Type |
Common Exams |
Required For |
|---|---|---|
| English Language |
IELTS, TOEFL |
English-taught programs (Bachelors & Masters) |
| German Language |
Goethe A1–C1, TestDaF |
German-taught programs |
| Aptitude Test |
TestAS |
Bachelor’s degrees |
| Business Program |
GMAT |
MBA, Management-related courses |
| STEM Programs |
GRE |
Master’s in Engineering, AI, CS, etc. |
IELTS vs TOEFL - For English-Taught Programs
Most international students planning to study in Germany take either IELTS or TOEFL. This is required prove their English language proficiency.
| Particulars |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Sections |
Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking |
Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking |
| Scoring |
Band score from 1 to 9 |
0–120 (30 per section) |
| Good Score |
7.5 or above |
100 or above |
| Test Fees in India |
INR 18,000 |
INR 16,900 |
| Test Centers / Best For |
Available across India |
Often paired with GRE for Master’s program |
| Accepted By |
Most German universities offering English-taught programs |
Most German universities offering English-taught programs |
Related articles about IELTS:
| Scope of IELTS for German Universities | Study in Germany without IELTS |
| Top 10 IELTS Coaching Centers in India | IELTS Syllabus |
Related articles about TOEFL:
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
German Language Proficiency Exams – For German-Taught Programs
German language proficiency is required for German courses. Universities in Germany often accept either of the two German Language Tests.
TestDAF
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test of German as a Foreign Language) or TestDAF is conducted by TestDAF Institute, Germany. The standardized language test judges an applicant’s ability to understand the language and communicate in the language in an analytical manner. The test can be taken in India itself and is conducted by Goethe Institute in the country. Almost all universities in Germany accept the test but the score requirement may vary from university to university.
DSH
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang or DSH is also a language proficiency test for the German language. It is, however, a university-specific exam conducted independently by universities in Germany. Many universities might accept the DSH score given by a different university while some others might require you to take an internal DSH examination. You can compare the TestDAF and DSH examinations to understand which would be a better one for you.
Related Reads:
Aptitude Exams for Studying in Germany
Germany as a country gives rather high importance to academic and scholastic aptitude and nothing short of the very best impresses them. With the same in mind, they too have stringent requirements.
Aptitude Tests for Undergraduate courses
The key to understanding the tests for undergraduate courses in Germany is to first understand the bachelor program course structure and the eligibility requirement for UG courses in Germany. In a nutshell, however, it can be summarized that German Universities require the candidates to be at par with the German Equivalent of a "Hochschulzugangsberechtigung" (HZB) which is essentially a university entrance test. Here are a few tests that an undergraduate student can write.
TestAS – For Bachelor’s in Germany
TestAS (Test for Academic Studies) is a mandatory aptitude test for international students applying for Bachelor’s programs in Germany.
- Sections:
- Core Test (General reasoning skills)
- Subject-Specific Test (Based on your chosen field – e.g., Engineering, Medicine, Economics)
- Score Range: Up to 260 points
- Good Score: 240+
- Fees:INR 13,500
- When to Take: At least 6–8 months before university applications
JEE Advanced
Yes, the very Joint Entrance Examinations for engineering entrances to the elite IITs are also a qualifier for German Universities. So, in case you are interested in pursuing your under graduation in any of the STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics related subjects, then clearing the JEE Advanced is what you need.
Feststellungsprüfung (FSP)
There are no standardized tests for German University admissions for undergraduates. Essentially, your score should match up to the requirements of the German University. In some cases, however, you might be required to clear the FSP – Feststellungsprüfung. The exam is usually taken after the end of the preparatory course conducted by Studienkolleg but a student can opt to write an external FSP. Basically, you can opt to showcase your aptitude without undertaking a yearlong preparatory course. These exams, however, are conducted by universities in Germany and dates and specifications vary. These exams are subject-specific and would be administered basis on the subject you are applying for.
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Aptitude Tests for Postgraduate courses
Like in the case of undergraduate courses, before we understand the tests, understanding the course structure for PG courses as well as an eligibility requirement for postgraduate degree programs in Germany is extremely important. As far as tests are concerned, the following are generally accepted at German Universities and Business Schools.
GRE
GRE or the Graduate Record Examination is conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and is accepted worldwide as a measure of aptitude for postgraduate courses. The test scores are valid and acceptable at German Universities as well.
Related articles about GRE:
- GRE Subject Tests: What they are and which exam to take for which course?
- Improving your GRE Score: Why and How?
- GRE Syllabus
GMAT
GMAT or Graduate Management Aptitude Test is widely accepted across the globe for postgraduate courses in management/ business/ finance. The same applies to Germany as well. The test, administered by GMAC is an accepted measure for business courses in German Universities as well as offering MBA programs to international students. It is important to note that many universities require a GRE instead of a GMAT for the MBA programs as well.
It is important to note that the Universities in Germany are essentially independent entities and it would be wise to first check with the respective university about the tests required before you start preparing for either or all of the above. So, research properly and then start preparing!
Related articles about GMAT:
Yes, most Public Universities in Germany are free and do not ask for tuition fees. You only pay small semester contribution. But be careful, universities in Baden-Württemberg state and TUM (Munich) now charge fees from international students. So check before applying.
There are many good colleges, but Technical University of Munich (TUM) and LMU Munich are considered the best. For engineering, RWTH Aachen is also very top level. It depends on your course which one is best for you.
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German universities/colleges have two intakes per year - September/October and March/April. Students are suggested to apply timely in their target universities as the entire application and visa procedure may take almost 9 months. For the Sept/Octo intake, students can apply till January 15, whereas for March/April intake, July 15th is the last date. Also, after your application has been received by the university, it may take 3-4 months to inform you about the outcome.