TestDaF 2026: test dates, format, how to book and free practice tests
TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) is the German test for students who want to study at a German university in German. It is run by g.a.s.t. and the TestDaF-Institut and taken at licensed test centres. Unlike most language tests, TestDaF is held on set dates: on 20 October 2026 the official site listed the next three as 12 November 2026, 10 December 2026 and 20 January 2027. This guide covers those dates, how to register, the digital TestDaF exam pattern, what TDN 3, 4 and 5 mean, and a plan for the weeks that are left.
TestDaF at a glance
| Conducting body | g.a.s.t. / TestDaF-Institut |
| What it is for | Proof of German for admission to degree courses taught in German at German universities |
| Mode | Digital TestDaF on a computer at a licensed test centre; a paper-based TestDaF also exists |
| Sections | Reading, listening, writing and speaking |
| Time | About 3 hours 10 minutes, plus breaks |
| Marking | Each section reported as TDN 5, TDN 4, TDN 3 or below TDN 3; no overall grade |
| Language | German |
| How often | On set dates published by the TestDaF-Institut |
| Official website | testdaf.de |
TestDaF exam date
The TestDaF home page listed these upcoming dates (checked 20 October 2026):
| Date | Results (approximate) |
|---|---|
| 12 November 2026 | About 3 weeks for the digital test, about 6 weeks for the paper test |
| 10 December 2026 | As above |
| 20 January 2027 | As above |
The home page does not say which of these dates are digital and which are paper-based, or what the registration deadlines are. Check both on the dates and registration page and with your test centre.
The result times come from the same page, which asks candidates to compare the expected result date with their universities' application deadlines before choosing a date. No information on results is given before the date in the "Ergebnis" column of the dates list.
How to register for TestDaF
- Check the TDN your course asks for in each section, on the university's admission page.
- Pick a date that gets your result to you before the university's deadline.
- Find a licensed centre with the Testzentrum finden page.
- Register through the TestDaF participant portal. Candidates in China register with the NEEA instead, as the TestDaF site explains.
- After registering, the portal gives you a second free model test for the digital TestDaF.
- Read the exam-day rules on testdaf.de before the test, and bring a valid photo ID.
Documents to keep ready: your passport or ID, and the university's language requirement so you register for a date that fits.
TestDaF exam pattern
| Section | Time | Tasks | How you answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (Lesen) | About 55 minutes | 7 tasks | On screen: choose answers, drag and drop |
| Listening (Hören) | About 40 minutes | 7 tasks | Choose answers and type short answers |
| Writing (Schreiben) | About 60 minutes | 2 tasks | Typed |
| Speaking (Sprechen) | About 35 minutes | 7 tasks | Heard through headphones, answered aloud and recorded |
Every task has its own time and moves on by itself when the time is up. A finished task cannot be reopened, so you cannot come back to an unanswered question at the end. The texts and recordings come from university and everyday academic life.
Results. Each section gets its own level: TDN 5, TDN 4, TDN 3 or below TDN 3. There is no overall grade and no total. Universities often ask for TDN 4 in all four sections (sometimes written TDN 4 × 4), but each university, and sometimes each course, sets its own rule.
TestDaF syllabus
TestDaF has no list of topics; it tests the German you need at university:
- Reading: seven tasks on texts from university and everyday academic life.
- Listening: seven tasks on recordings from the same settings, some answered with short typed answers.
- Writing: two typed tasks, marked by trained raters.
- Speaking: seven tasks; the instructions and a conversation partner are heard through headphones and your answers are recorded and marked afterwards.
The official sample tasks (PDF) show each task type. See the TestDaF syllabus page for more detail.
A plan for the weeks that are left
With the 12 November date about three weeks away, most candidates starting now will aim for 10 December or 20 January. A six-week plan:
| Weeks before | Focus |
|---|---|
| 6 | One full timed TestDaF practice test. Note which section is furthest from TDN 4. |
| 5 to 4 | Reading and listening: one task a day with its own time limit. Get used to moving on without going back. |
| 4 to 3 | Writing: both tasks typed, timed at 60 minutes, three times a week. Practise on a keyboard, not on paper. |
| 3 to 2 | Speaking: answer prompts into a microphone with a timer, then listen back. Speaking to a computer feels different from a conversation. |
| 2 | A second full practice test, plus the official model test from the portal. |
| 1 | Light review. Confirm the centre, time and ID. |
Useful links
- TestDaF dates and registration and the participant portal
- Digital TestDaF product sheet (PDF) and sample tasks (PDF)
- Free TestDaF mock tests
- TestDaF syllabus
- TestDaF exam dates
- Goethe-Zertifikat 2026: test dates, format and how to book
- How to analyse a mock test
Frequently asked questions
When is the next TestDaF exam date?
On 20 October 2026 testdaf.de listed 12 November 2026, 10 December 2026 and 20 January 2027. Check the dates page for registration deadlines and whether a date is digital or paper.
What is the TestDaF pass mark?
There is no pass mark. Each section is reported as TDN 5, 4 or 3, or below TDN 3. Many universities ask for TDN 4 in every section, but check your course's rule.
How long do TestDaF results take?
About 3 weeks for the digital TestDaF and usually 6 weeks for the paper-based test, according to the TestDaF dates page.
Is TestDaF on a computer?
The digital TestDaF is taken on a computer at a licensed test centre. Speaking is recorded through a headset rather than done face to face. A paper-based TestDaF also exists.
Is there negative marking in TestDaF?
The TestDaF-Institut does not publish a marking scheme with deductions, and it does not publish the marks behind each TDN. Answer every question within each task's time, because a finished task cannot be reopened.