German Tests and Certificates: What's the Best German Certificate?

TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

Before coming to Germany, you can take the TestDaF in your home country. Most German higher education institutions recognize this German language certificate.

The TestDaF is divided into four skills components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Most topics covered in the reading and listening parts of the TestDaF are related to teaching or sciences, while the speaking tasks deal with various everyday situations of student life, such as a casual conversation with a classmate, presenting an opinion, etc. TestDaF evaluates your German language skills on 3 levels: TDN 3, 4, and 5. The highest level is TDN 5, which means the highest German level you can get on TestDaF is 4 * TDN 5 = 20. For most German universities, 4 * TDN 4 = 16 is the standard result that allows you to apply. For most humanities programs, however, the standard is around 18 in total. Based on the CEFR (GeR in German), these results correspond to German levels B2 and C1.

TestDaF is held six times a year (except only three times in China) and is available in more than 90 countries. TestDaF certificates are valid forever.

DSH

Unlike TestDaF, you can only take the DSH in Germany. DSH stands for "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang", which translates to "German Language Examination for Higher Education Admission".

The DSH is divided into two parts: the written and the oral part. The written part accounts for 70% of the DSH exam, while the oral part accounts for the remaining 30%. As with TestDaF, the tasks in the DSH are also related to general knowledge and academic subjects, which helps students familiarize themselves with these topics and prepare well for their upcoming studies.

The DSH is offered by many universities. International candidates are required to present a DSH 2 at the time of application for university enrollment. You'll need to contact the international office of your university for information about upcoming test dates. You can also take DSH preparation courses at the universities. Once you receive an admission letter for these courses, you can attach it to your visa application for Germany.

Goethe Certificate

The Goethe Certificate, also known as the Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Big German Language Certificate), is another way to prove your German level. Most universities also recognize the Goethe language certificate. This exam consists of 4 parts: speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Unlike the other two exams, the 4 parts of this exam can be taken separately, which means students also receive the German language certificate separately. After obtaining these 4 certificates for each exam, you reach a certain level.

The Goethe Certificate is also based on the CEFR. Normally, German universities require the Goethe Certificate at level C2 or above.

Comparing these three language tests, EDUBAO would say there's no best certificate, but simply the most suitable language test for you. You need to consider your own situation, for example if you intend to go to Germany as soon as possible, and the exam format you feel most comfortable with, etc. For more information, visit the official website of each exam:

• TestDaF
• DSH
• Goethe Zertifikat

Note: The following criteria can help you determine which certificate is best for you:

• The fees
• The date of the next exam and the registration deadline
• Whether the university or program recognizes the exam
• The exam format

How to Learn German Properly?

When Should You Start Learning German If You Want to Study in Germany?

When you decide to pursue a degree taught in German in Germany, learning German is the first thing you should consider. If you have no knowledge of German, we suggest you first learn in your home country, so you can receive detailed guidance on the language, which is especially useful at the beginning of learning a foreign language. As you become more familiar with the language, you can also choose to learn German in Germany. The best time to start learning German would be two years before coming to Germany. Of course, the earlier you start learning German, the better.

But don't worry if you plan to come to Germany very soon and no longer have time to learn German, because there are also different ways to learn German in Germany. There's also a type of student visa called a language visa, which allows international students to come to Germany first to learn the language, then enroll at a university provided they pass the language exam.

Note: How long does it take to reach each level?

According to the Goethe Institut, the following table shows the number of class units ("Unterrichtseinheit" in German, corresponding to 45 min.) needed for each level:

• C2: At least 1000 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)
• C1: 800–1000 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)
• B2: 600–800 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)
• B1: 350–650 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)
• A2: 200–350 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)
• A1: 80–200 class units (Unterrichtseinheiten)

Where Can You Learn German?

1) Holiday Language Schools for Those Still in Their Home Country

There are generally summer or winter language courses organized during the holidays by university language centers. During these language courses, called Sommerkurs or Winterkurs in German, you can get to know German culture and people. A comprehensive catalog of language courses and short courses is available in the DAAD database. You can also check the university website to see if there's a "language center" at the university. Many language centers at universities are keen to organize these language courses for international applicants.

2) Language Schools

Various private language schools in Germany offer another option. They also offer "Sommerkurs" to students from around the world. And of course, when it comes to learning German, we can't forget the Goethe Institut, a cultural organization that represents the Federal Republic of Germany worldwide. It's a highly recommended place to learn German, both in your home country and in Germany. The Goethe Institut offers German courses worldwide as well as in 13 locations in Germany. For more information, visit the Goethe Institut website.

3) Online German Learning Platforms

Deutsche Welle – German Radio

Deutsche Welle supports self-learning by offering a platform where you can access grammar and vocabulary lessons in real time. A wide range of courses, from level A1 to level C, is available in the form of PDFs, videos, audios, and news. You can read the PDFs, watch the videos, and discuss lessons with other learners and experts. Even more interesting, you can study by reading or listening to German news, which will help you understand the language in a more practical context.

German teachers also use Deutsche Welle's learning materials! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn German online.

Deutsch-Uni Online – German Language Platform

Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) is a web portal that allows you to start your German learning journey from scratch (complete beginner) up to mastery level (C2). You can choose to take a course with or without a tutor. In the case of a course without a tutor, you can receive automatic corrections of your work, but no personal feedback on your writing and speaking. This type of course is affordable and self-paced, meaning you're free to start the course whenever you like. For the second option, you'll receive personal feedback on your written and spoken work in addition to automatic corrections. Your tutor will moderate the online class activities, and you'll need to agree with them on a time to discuss the online lessons. Don't forget to check DUO's schedule in advance, as courses with a tutor have a fixed start date. Another interesting learning format is the Lernen mit Tutor intensiv, which also involves learning with a tutor but in a more intensive way with specialized guidance. You'll need to complete additional tasks to obtain a certificate with ECTS credits.

Goethe Institut – An Online Learning Platform Is Also Available

The Goethe Institut website offers many learning resources to help you improve your German knowledge. You can study there by playing games, taking quizzes, watching videos, or listening to audio. The topics covered range from conversational German in different contexts — from German for social professions, German for science and technology, etc. to German for the workplace. You can take German courses online or offline. The Goethe Institut is present worldwide. So you can visit the Goethe Institut in your country to explore courses and take exams.

Tips and Tricks for Learning German as an International Student

If you already know some German, we recommend immersing yourself in a German-speaking environment.

• Make lots of German friends. You can do a culinary and cultural exchange with your German friends by bringing them delicious traditional dishes from your country and vice versa. Your friends can also show you around cities and introduce you to lots of cool things.
• Participate in extracurricular activities at the university like intercultural programs or summer festivals. There, to have fun and enjoy the atmosphere, you'll have no choice but to speak German.
• Join study groups. By doing this, you'll not only make more German friends but also international friends.
• Watch TV and read the news in German. This will help you improve your vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as understand German in a more practical context.

Thanks for reading the article in full. I hope we've managed to give you an idea of what learning German is like. And we hope you'll be able to speak fluent German one day!