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TestAS Exam: A Pathway To Higher Education in Germany
Higher education in Germany is becoming popular among international students. The globally recognized universities in the country, including both public and private universities in Germany, play a significant role in attracting students from around the globe. TestAS exam assists international students in university applications and approvals in Germany. It is a standardized aptitude test for academic studies in Germany. This test is for international students (non-EU countries) who wish to pursue undergraduate degrees in German universities. Through this blog, you will learn more about the TestAS, its significance, preparation, and more.
What is TestAS?
TestAS is called ‘Test für Ausländische Studierende’ in German which means ‘Test for foreign students’. This test is a scholastic aptitude test used to measure the cognitive abilities of students. It measures your general academic aptitude and abilities required to succeed in the course of study in Germany. Good scores in this exam increase your chances of getting admission to the university and course of your choice. The test is offered by the Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development.
Is TestAS Mandatory To Study In Germany?
The recognition of TestAS results can vary depending on the universities. Most German universities have included the TestAS exam in their admission requirements. In some universities, it is a prerequisite while others only recommend it. TestAS result requirements are determined by individual universities. You should check the specific admission requirements of the university and the program you are interested in. See whether the test is recommended or required by your chosen university and plan accordingly.
Exam Structure
The TestAS exam has two components subject-specific modules and a core test. The exam is delivered as a paper-based test or as a digital test. The time duration of the test varies depending on the delivery mode. The duration of the paper-based test is around 4.5 hours including a half an hour break. The digital version will take only around 3.5 hours with a 30-minute break between the subject-specific module and the core test.
The core test measures your cognitive skills while the subject-specific test will be specific to a particular area of study. You can take the test in German or English. The exam does not have a minimum score requirement or pass or fail criteria. The scores and rankings will be used by German universities to choose the best candidates for academic programs. The test results are used to understand the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and probability of success in their studies. High scores can improve your chances of being selected to a university for undergraduate studies in Germany.
Exam Modules
Now, let’s get into the details of the TestAS exam modules. As mentioned before, the test has two components and each has subcategories. The core test takes 110 minutes and the subject module is around 150 minutes duration. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions. The two tests and their subtests are explained below:
The Core Test: This module contains 88 questions distributed across four different subtests. Your cognitive abilities will be assessed with the following subtests
- Solving Quantitative Problems: This test measures your ability to solve basic mathematical problems. The questions will include elementary-level arithmetic operations. You will be given 22 questions which are to be completed in 45 minutes.
- Inferring Relations: This measures your logical linguistic reasoning. This subtest will contain word analogy questions. Two of the four words will be missing. You will have to find an analogous relationship between the words and find the missing ones. There will be 22 questions to be completed in 10 minutes.
- Completing Patterns: Different geometric shapes like lines, squares, circles, or quadrilaterals will be arranged in the fields of a matrix. You will have to find the missing shape in the last field.
- Continuing Numerical Series: This tests your logical numerical ability. A series of numbers will be arranged based on some specific rule. You will be required to find the missing numbers by understanding the rule.
Subject-Specific Test: This component of TestAS measures your knowledge in a particular area of study. Candidates can choose from any one of the following subject modules while registering for a paper-based exam.
- Engineering Module (150 minutes)
- Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences Module (150 minutes)
- Economics Module (150 minutes )
- Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences Module (145 minutes)
The following subject modules are available only in the digital version of the test
- Medicine
- Life Science
How to Apply For The Exam?
- Candidates should register five weeks before the exam date
- Register yourself on the TestAS website by providing all the required details
- After registration, you will get an email with detailed instructions on how to book a test date and choose a test center
- Follow the instructions and select the date and test center
- Choose your preferred language to write the test
- Select the module (just one) you wish to attend in the Subject Specific section
Language Requirements for TestAS
The test is offered in German and English. You can choose the preferred language while registering for the test. However, B1 level proficiency in German is required to attend the test in German. It is better to test your language skills through onSET or TestDaF, before attending the exam. Continuously improving your German language skills will be beneficial for your TestAS and studies in Germany. You can easily learn German through online language learning platforms or get training from the best German language institute in Kerala.
Exam Centres For Indian Students
- Goethe-Institute Max Mueller Bhavan – Chennai
- Medhavi Skills University, Ahmedabad
- BC Education India Pvt. Ltd -Kolkata
- BC Education India Pvt. Ltd -Bangalore
- BC Education India Pvt. Ltd -Mumbai
- BC Education India Pvt. Ltd -New Delhi
- Goethe-Institute/ Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi
- Goethe-Institute Max Mueller Bhavan – Pune
Tips for TestAS Exam Preparation
Short-term preparations may not work well for TestAS as it tests your cognitive ability rather than your academic knowledge. The best way to begin TestAS preparation is to get familiar with the exam format and question patterns. Go through sample questions and develop your preparation strategies. The difficulty level of the exam varies from individual to individual. Hence, identify your weak areas and practice more on those areas. Attend more practice tests and effectively utilize free study materials available on the internet. A certain level of language proficiency is essential to understand questions and draw conclusions. Therefore, attend the exam in the language you are more confident in. It will be difficult to score higher than the average participant if you have a lower language proficiency level.
The TestAS exam is crucial in the German university admission process. It can increase the chances of acceptance, create Germany scholarship opportunities, and is a method of fair and transparent assessment. Good test scores can boost your confidence and make you prepared for academic pursuits in Germany. Candidates who wish to pursue higher studies in Germany should prepare well and take the exam seriously. However, the test is just a part of the admission process. Applicants should meet all other requirements to get admission to an academic program in a German university.
