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University Exams

TestDaF vs DSH
Which German University Exam Should You Take?

Both TestDaF and DSH prove your German is good enough for university studies. But they work very differently — here's everything you need to decide.

LingoMap › TestDaF vs DSH

Important: Standard language certificates (Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, DELF) are not accepted for German university admission. You specifically need TestDaF or DSH — unless your degree programme is taught entirely in English.

TestDaF

Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache

TestDaF is administered by the TestDaF-Institut and is available worldwide at authorised test centres. It's the most standardised option.

TDN 3–5
Levels available
B2 to C1+ range
~5–6
test dates/year
Fixed global schedule
€175–195
exam fee
Varies by test centre
6–8 wks
results wait
Longer than DSH

Exam format

Reading
60 minutes
Listening
40 minutes
Writing
60 minutes
Speaking
35 minutes

Each section is graded separately on TDN 3, 4, or 5. Most German universities require TDN 4 in all four sections.

DSH

Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang

DSH is run by individual universities in Germany. Each university designs its own version of the exam — which means the format, difficulty, and scheduling vary.

DSH-1/2/3
Levels available
B2+ to C1+
2–3
test dates/year
Set by each university
€50–150
exam fee
Cheaper than TestDaF
2–4 wks
results wait
Faster than TestDaF

Key difference: format varies

Because each university runs its own DSH, there is no fixed standardised format. Most include reading comprehension, listening, and writing components. Some universities also require an oral exam. The exact structure depends on the university you're applying to.

DSH results are primarily recognised at the issuing university, but most German universities now accept DSH results from other institutions too. Check with your target university.

Side by Side

TestDaF vs DSH comparison

Quick reference for the key differences.

TestDaF DSH
Who organises it TestDaF-Institut (central, standardised) Individual universities (each runs their own)
Where to take it Authorised test centres worldwide, including Berlin Only at German universities — you must be physically in Germany
Levels TDN 3, 4, 5 (roughly B2, C1, C1+) DSH-1 (B2+), DSH-2 (C1), DSH-3 (C1+)
Typical requirement TDN 4 in all sections DSH-2 (most programmes)
Test dates per year ~5–6 (fixed global schedule) 2–3 (set by each university)
Cost ~€175–195 ~€50–150
Results timeline 6–8 weeks 2–4 weeks
Format consistency Identical at every test centre worldwide Varies by university
Validity Permanent (some universities impose a 5-year limit) Primarily at issuing university; widely accepted elsewhere now
Can you take it outside Germany? Yes — available in 60+ countries No — only at German universities
Our Recommendation

Which should you choose?

The right choice depends on where you are now and where you want to study.

Choose TestDaF if…

  • You're currently outside Germany and want to apply before you arrive
  • You're applying to multiple universities across Germany
  • You want a standardised, predictable exam format
  • You're unsure which university you'll attend
  • You want a certificate with permanent validity

Choose DSH if…

  • You're already in Berlin and your target university offers DSH
  • You've been rejected from TestDaF and need another shot quickly
  • Your target university is in Berlin and offers DSH prep courses
  • You want to spend less on exam fees
  • You need results faster (2–4 weeks vs. 6–8)

Bottom line: TestDaF is the safer, more versatile choice for most people. It can be taken worldwide, is universally accepted, and has a predictable format. DSH makes sense if you're already in Berlin, know exactly which university you're applying to, and want to save money and time.

Find TestDaF and DSH preparation courses in Berlin

LingoMap lists exam preparation courses at Berlin language schools. Filter by exam type to find a course that prepares you specifically for TestDaF or DSH.

Browse exam preparation courses →

Frequently asked questions

No — in general, standard language certificates (Goethe, telc, DELF, Cambridge) are not accepted for university admission in Germany. German universities specifically require TestDaF or DSH, as these exams test academic German skills that general certificates do not cover. Check with your specific target university, as a very small number of programmes may have different requirements.

Most German universities require TDN 4 in all four sections (reading, listening, writing, speaking). Some accept TDN 4 in three sections and TDN 3 in one. A few research-intensive universities or highly competitive programmes require TDN 5 in some sections. Always check the exact requirement for your target programme.

It depends on your starting level. From B2, a focused exam preparation course of 6–12 weeks (alongside self-study) is typically enough to reach TDN 4 level. The exam has a very specific academic format — even students with strong German benefit from dedicated preparation to understand the exam structure and scoring criteria.

There is no official limit on how many times you can take TestDaF. However, each attempt costs €175–195, so thorough preparation before each attempt is important. You can register for the next available test date after receiving your results. Most universities will accept your best result if you've taken it multiple times.

Neither exam is consistently harder than the other — DSH difficulty varies significantly by university. Some university DSH exams are considered harder than TestDaF; others are easier. TestDaF has a fixed, standardised format, which makes it more predictable. The best strategy is to prepare specifically for whichever exam you choose — using authentic past papers in both cases.