TestAS exam-day guide
TestAS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (passport or national ID)
Bring the same ID document type you used for registration. TestAS is administered through test centres and the exact accepted documents can vary by centre and country, so confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a copy is allowed.
Admission confirmation / registration printout
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and centre address. The provider decides whether a printed copy is mandatory; check your confirmation email or portal for the exact requirement.
Know your exact reporting time and centre address
Arrive before the stated reporting time; late arrivals may be refused entry. Plan the route in advance and check local transport for the morning of the test.
Pencils, eraser, sharpener
The core TestAS modules are answered on an answer sheet, so bring several pencils (HB or similar), a good eraser, and a sharpener. Confirm with the provider whether any writing instruments are supplied at the centre.
Analogue watch (no smart features)
Timing pressure is a defining feature of TestAS. A simple wristwatch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are normally not allowed at the desk - confirm the provider's device policy.
Water and a light snack
The test day is long, with several modules and a break. Bring water in a clear bottle and a snack for the break, subject to the centre's rules on food and drink in the test room.
No phones or smart devices at the desk
Switch devices off and store them as instructed. Using a phone or smartwatch during a module can lead to exclusion from the test; confirm the exact device rules with the provider.
Review the module structure and time limits
Know which core module (Humanities, Engineering, or Mathematics/Computer Science/Natural Sciences) you registered for, plus the subject-specific module, and know the time limit for each. Practise with a timer at least once before test day.
Practise the question formats, not just content
Work through the official sample questions so that the formats - solving quantitative problems, inferring from short texts, recognising patterns, and so on - feel familiar. Format familiarity saves time on test day.
Plan your sleep and morning routine
Avoid late-night cramming. A full night's sleep and a normal breakfast matter more than last-minute revision for a speeded aptitude test.
Check the language of the test
TestAS is offered in German and English (and in some cases other languages). Make sure you are preparing for and registered for the language version you can actually handle under time pressure.
Clarify any accommodations in advance
If you need special arrangements (for example, extra time or a separate room), these must normally be requested and approved well before the test date. Confirm deadlines and evidence requirements with the provider.
Plan the day
Do one full timed mock of each core module you will sit, using the official sample questions. Focus on pacing: note how many questions you can realistically answer per minute, and decide your strategy for questions you cannot solve quickly (mark and move on). Stop learning new content; consolidate formats and strategies instead.
Confirm logistics: re-read your admission confirmation, check the centre address and journey, decide your departure time, and prepare the documents and stationery you will bring. Check the provider's current rules on ID, devices, and what is allowed at the desk.
Do a light review only: skim your notes on question formats and your personal timing strategy. Pack your bag (ID, confirmation, pencils, eraser, sharpener, watch, water, snack) and lay out clothes. Avoid heavy study and screens late in the evening; aim for a normal, full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, leave with buffer time for delays, and arrive before the reporting time. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed. Go to the toilet before the test starts.
Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions, check that you have the correct booklet and answer sheet for the module, and note the start and end time. Fill in personal details exactly as instructed.
Work at a steady pace and watch the clock. Answer the questions you can solve first, mark uncertain ones, and return to them if time allows. There is normally no penalty for wrong answers in the core modules, but confirm this with the provider before relying on it. Keep the answer sheet aligned with the question numbers, and fill in answers clearly.
Use the break to drink water, eat a snack, and move around briefly. Do not discuss the questions with other candidates. Return to your seat promptly when the invigilator calls time.
Note the date on which results are expected and how they will be delivered, as stated by the provider. Do not attempt to reconstruct or share test content; keep your answer sheet copies if any are given to you.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document required by the provider and keep it on your desk if instructed. If your ID is missing or does not match your registration, you may be refused entry; confirm the accepted documents with the provider in advance.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Candidates who arrive late may not be admitted, and no extra time is normally given; check the provider's late-arrival policy.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Using them during a module can lead to exclusion from the test; confirm the exact device rules with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions, including when to start and stop writing. Continuing to write after time is called can lead to your answer sheet being invalidated.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not share or reproduce test questions afterwards. Test content is confidential.
Breaks are given at set points and are usually short. You may normally leave the room only with permission and under supervision; confirm the centre's rules on breaks and leaving the room.
Scoring: the core module and the subject-specific module are scored separately, and results are reported as standardised scores rather than raw points. Confirm the current scoring and reporting method with the provider, as it can change.
If you need accommodations or have a scheduling conflict, contact the provider as early as possible. Deadlines and evidence requirements are set by the provider and cannot usually be resolved on test day.