Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 26 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.
Overview
The Goethe-Institut describes the TestDaF as a language test at an advanced level, covering levels B2 to C1 of the CEFR. It is aimed at students and prospective students who must show their German for university study. The page adds that it is recognised internationally for research and academic careers.
Levels
The three TestDaF levels (TDN) 3, 4 and 5 correspond to levels B2 to C1. A minimum of B2 is required, and the level you reach determines which university programmes you can access.
Parts and format
- Four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Each skill is assessed separately.
- Offered both paper-based and digital.
- Taken at licensed test centres: the page gives over 500 centres in 100 countries, including the Goethe-Institut.
- There are six fixed dates each year and places are limited.
Registration
Registration is possible only directly through the TestDaF website (testdaf.de), not through the Goethe-Institut.
To help you plan: unofficial, approximate figures
To help you plan, we added practical figures collected from reliable independent sources, each shown with its date. Treat them as a guide: they are approximate and can change, so confirm the final figure with the official source or the organisation concerned before you act.
- Duration. Goethe-Institut, Paris centre page (2026): reading 60 minutes, listening about 40, writing 60, speaking (computer-based) about 35. That adds up to roughly 3 hours 15 minutes without breaks. The University of Hamburg Language Centre says the exam takes one day.
- Fee. University of Hamburg Language Centre (page lists 2026 dates): €215 paper-based, €210 digital. The Goethe-Institut tells candidates to ask their test centre for the price, so the fee differs by centre and country.
- Dates. The same Hamburg page lists digital sessions on 25 August, 22 September, 12 November and 10 December 2026, with registration closing 14 August, 11 September, 30 October and 27 November. The Goethe-Institut says there are six fixed dates a year worldwide. The 2027 dates were not found.
- Results. The Goethe-Institut says the exam can be repeated as often as you like. How long a result stays valid was not found.
Worth checking next: how long a result stays valid. Ask the university which level and test it accepts.
Four parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking), each assessed separately. Paper-based or digital, at licensed test centres. Six fixed dates a year.