TestDaF digital vs paper: format, scoring and results compared

What is the same in both formats?

TestDaF is the German language exam for admission to universities in Germany. The TestDaF Institute offers it in two versions, digital and paper-based; its exam regulations call them two equivalent variants. Both have the same four parts: Lesen (reading), Hören (listening), Schreiben (writing) and Sprechen (speaking). Each part gets its own result, TDN 3, TDN 4 or TDN 5, and there is no overall grade.

• For admission to a German university you normally need at least TDN 4 in all four parts (RO-DT, § 4). This applies to both formats.
• You always take the whole exam, all four parts. You cannot sit a single part on its own.
• You can retake TestDaF as often as you need.
• The certificate does not expire. Whether an older one is still accepted is up to the university.
• Both formats are taken at a test centre. The digital TestDaF is done there on a computer, not at home.

The differences at a glance

Reading and listening: which tasks come in which format?

In the paper-based exam, reading has three texts with ten items each: a matching task, multiple choice, and statements you mark yes, no or "the text does not say". According to Model Test 1, the 60 minutes include 10 minutes to copy your answers onto the answer sheet. Listening has three texts with 8 short answers, 10 true-or-false statements and 7 short answers. You hear texts 1 and 2 once and text 3 twice.

The digital TestDaF is not just the paper exam on a screen. Reading and listening each have seven different task types, and two of the listening tasks use video. The task names below are the official German ones, with a short English meaning:

Two rules exist only in the digital format. First, every candidate also works on trial tasks that are being tested and do not count, so a task type can appear twice and the number of tasks varies. Second, in reading, listening and writing you cannot go back to an earlier task.

Writing: one text by hand or two on a computer?

In the paper-based exam you write one text by hand in 60 minutes on the TestDaF writing sheet. In Model Test 1 you describe two graphs and then argue your position on a question.

In the digital TestDaF you type two texts in about 60 minutes: an argumentative text of at least 200 words, and a summary of information from a reading text and a graph of about 100 to 150 words. Together that is a little over 300 words in one hour.

Speaking: how long do you speak?

Speaking is done on a computer in both formats: you hear the tasks through headphones and your answers are recorded. There are seven tasks in about 35 minutes. In the digital TestDaF each task has a fixed speaking time:

In the paper-based exam each task has its own preparation and speaking time. In Model Test 1 the speaking times range from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, 10 minutes in total. So in the digital exam you speak a little longer, and the longest single answer is the presentation at 2:30 minutes.

How is it scored: a 0 to 20 scale or a threshold per test version?

In the digital TestDaF each part is converted to a common scale of 0 to 20 points: 0 to 4 is below TDN 3, 5 to 9 is TDN 3, 10 to 15 is TDN 4, 16 to 20 is TDN 5. The total runs from 0 to 80, and trial tasks do not count. Reading and listening are scored automatically; short answers in listening are marked by trained raters.

In the paper-based TestDaF, reading and listening count your correct answers. Because every exam is meant to be equally difficult, the TestDaF Institute sets the minimum score for each test version anew with statistical analysis. It gives these ranges:

In both formats, writing and speaking are rated by trained raters along three questions: what effect does the text or answer have as a whole, is the task fulfilled, and with what language is it done? What the levels mean is explained in TestDaF results explained: what TDN 3, 4 and 5 mean.

Results, fees and the combined certificate

Digital results are in the candidate portal after about 3 weeks; paper results come about 6 weeks after the exam date. In Germany the digital TestDaF costs 210 euros and the paper-based one 215 euros. Other countries have their own price groups, so ask your test centre for the local fee.

Since 12 May 2026 you can create a combined certificate for the digital TestDaF in the candidate portal. It puts together your best results from several exams, as long as you took them within six months at most. All digital exams from November 2025 onwards count. The certificate costs 29 euros. Whether a university accepts it is up to that university.

Which format suits you?

• Your application deadline is close: digital. Results come after about 3 weeks instead of 6.
• One skill is clearly weaker than the others: digital, because of the combined certificate. Ask your university first whether it accepts it.
• You write much better on paper than on a keyboard: paper-based. You write one text by hand instead of two on a computer.
• You want to practise with complete model tests before you register: two full paper model tests are openly available on testdaf.de. The two digital model tests appear only in the candidate portal.
• Date and place: check testdaf.de/termine and your test centre to see which format is offered on the date you want.

Whether you need TestDaF or another exam is decided by the university you apply to. The comparison with the DSH is in TestDaF vs DSH: which test to take for university in Germany.

How do you prepare for each format?

Practise with the tasks of the format you will actually take. For the digital TestDaF, paper Model Tests 1 and 2 only cover the task types both formats share, so use the sample tasks and tutorial videos on testdaf.de as well. You can practise all four parts under real timing with us for the digital TestDaF and the paper-based TestDaF.