TestAS – All You Need To Know!

Are you planning to study in Germany for a Bachelor’s degree? TestAS is mandatory to study in Germany for a bachelor’s Degree; you also need this to get your APS certificate. TestAS is a standardized academic aptitude test designed to assess the scholastic abilities of international students aspiring to study in Germany. Developed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), TestAS evaluates critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and verbal skills. This comprehensive assessment aids universities in gauging applicants’ suitability for their desired programs. TestAS scores provide a valuable tool for admissions committees to make informed decisions, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. As a bridge between diverse educational backgrounds, TestAS fosters equal opportunities and facilitates the pursuit of higher education in Germany for students worldwide.

TestAS is mandated for all non-EU students who want to study in Germany for an undergraduate degree. And yes, there are waivers available, but only if the candidate has cleared JEE Mains and Advanced. 

TestAS is offered in English and German, but I will advise you to choose English as a preferred language. Choose German only if you have B1 or B2 level proficiency.

 What is the test format? 

The test is available in two formats, like IELTS in multiple-choice.

• Paper-based
• Digital

Depending on your comfort level, choose the one you like. Both paper-based and digital tests have two sections – Core and Subject Specific. The core test is the same for all applicants and tests your general abilities, such as quantitative problems and numerical. 

For the subject-specific section, you can choose from six subjects – 

1. Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences

2. Life Sciences

3. Mathematics, Computer Sciences, and Natural Sciences

4. Engineering

5. Economics

6. Medicine

Make sure you choose the relevant subject per your intended study program. 

• For a paper-based test, you will get 110 minutes followed by 30 minutes of break and 145 to 150 minutes for subject-specific sections. That will be a total of 4.5 hours+, including breaks. 
• For the digital test, you get 90 minutes for the core test, followed by 30 minutes break and then 90 minutes for a subject-specific section. That will be 3.5 hours, including breaks. 

For a Paper-based test, the Core Section will have 4 types of questions which include

• Quantitative Problems
• Inferring Relations
• Completing Patterns
• Continuing Numerical Series

Subject-specific questions will vary as per your chosen subject, and you can find detailed info on this on testas.de website. 

For Digital, the core section will have three questions: 

• Figure Sequences
• Mathematical Equations
• Latin Squares. 

Subject-specific questions will vary as per the subject, and that info is too available on their website. 

There are 9 test centres in India for TestAS located in 

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Bangalore
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Pune

You can book both paper or digital tests by going to their website.

The cost of registration is 150 Euros which is roughly 13600 rupees, and there is no limit on several attempts.

The results will be valid for a lifetime. 

Registration is also pretty simple. You choose the date and type of test, create an account, select a test centre, pay the fee, and you’re done. Do note that the test is offered just three times a year, and you should keep a check on the registration period for a particular date. 

There is plenty of free material available on testas.de website. Still, if you want to get more prep material, some digital editions are available over Amazon by Edulink GmbH.

For paper-based, it takes about four weeks and two weeks for digital tests for the results. You can access them from your account by entering your username and password. 

Carry your valid ID along with a blue or black ballpoint pen. Everything else will be available at the test centre. Apart from this, if you have any other questions, you check out the FAQs list on the testas.de website.

• FAQs – https://www.testas.de/en/faq_en.htm
• Test Dates and Registration – https://www.testas.de/en/pruefungstermine_en.htm
• Test Centers – https://www.testas.de/en/testzentren_en.htm 
• Sample Questions – https://www.testas.de/en/modellaufgaben_en.htm
• Paper-based Test Structure – https://www.testas.de/en/aufbau_en.htm
• Digital Test Structure and Materials – https://www.testas.de/en/pdf/220516_digitalerTestAS_Preparatory-Materials_final.pdf
• Conversion Tables for both tests – https://www.testas.de/en/pdf/Umrechnungstabelle-TestAS-Score-eng.pdf 

In conclusion, TestAS serves as an invaluable tool for both international students and German universities. By objectively measuring academic aptitude, it enables universities to admit candidates best suited for their programs, enhancing the quality of education and fostering a diverse learning environment. For students, TestAS offers a fair platform to showcase their skills, bridging the gap between educational systems and boosting their chances of successful integration into German higher education. As a reliable assessment, TestAS contributes to transparency, equal opportunities, and the pursuit of academic excellence, ultimately enriching the academic landscape for all stakeholders involved.