TestAS

It is aimed at international applicants who plan to study at a German university. It helps you judge whether your abilities and skills suit studying in Germany, and it gives universities a standardised basis for admission and selection decisions. It is not a language certificate, though it is delivered in German or English.

TestAS measures general and subject-specific aptitude - the general cognitive and subject-group-specific competencies relevant to a first degree. That is why results can be compared across different education systems and grading scales in applicants' home countries, and why universities treat it as a predictor of study success.

Yes, you register for one format. According to the official site, the digital and paper-based TestAS test the same skills and place the same demands on participants, so neither should be easier. They differ in test setup, preparation materials and evaluation, so check the structure pages for your chosen format before you start preparing.

The test is offered in German and English at language level A2–B2 CEFR. That range describes the language demands of the test itself, not an admission requirement. Choose the language in which you read complex instructions and reason most comfortably, since the tasks test aptitude rather than vocabulary.

The published dates are 26 November 2026, 25 February 2027 and 18 March 2027. Registration runs through the participant portal linked from the official site, where you also find a test centre search covering Germany, worldwide locations and China specifically. Register early, because seat availability depends on the centre.

Usually yes. g.a.s.t. works with a network of more than 1,000 partner institutions in over 100 countries, and TestAS is offered at many g.a.s.t. test centres, so you can often sit it in your home country or nearby rather than travelling to Germany. Use the official test centre search to check options.

Start with the official structure description for your format to learn the module sequence and task types. Then work through the official preparation materials, practise each task type untimed until the format is familiar, and finish with full timed run-throughs. Review the evaluation page too, so you understand what the scores mean before test day.

No. A good result can strengthen your application or even be a prerequisite, depending on the university and programme, but admission decisions rest with the institutions. TestAS is one instrument within their selection procedures, alongside your school or university qualifications and any language evidence they require.

Preparing for the wrong format. Because the digital and paper-based versions have different setups, preparation routes and evaluation, candidates who practise generic material often meet unfamiliar task formats on test day. Use the official preparation pages for the exact format you booked, and confirm your booking details before travelling.

TestAS is an offer by g.a.s.t., the Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e. V., a non-profit organisation and an institute associated with German universities. For individual questions, the official site lists the phone number +49 234 36715 500 and the contact address [email protected].