TestAS FAQ: Comprehensive & Clear Guide for Students and Parents

TestAS is a standardized cognitive aptitude examination for international students aspiring to study at German universities. The exam measures where your academic reasoning skills rank compared to international peers. Leading universities in Germany and German-standard institutions in Vietnam—such as Vietnamese-German University (VGU)—rely on these results for preferential admissions.

30-Second Quick Summary

• Exam Purpose: Assesses academic readiness for German higher education; there is no pass/fail grading.
• Paper Exam Structure: Consists of the compulsory Core Test (Kerntest) and an elective Subject-Specific Module Test.
• Language Medium: You freely choose between English or German; both hold equal validity.
• Age & Attempts: No age limits apply; you may retake the exam as many times as desired.
• Score Validity: TestAS certificates are valid indefinitely (never expire).
• Where to Register: Directly on the official examination portal at www.testas.de.

Group 1: Exam Structure and Language Options

1. Which TestAS formats are offered?

TestAS is administered in two distinct testing formats:

• Digital TestAS (Computer-based): Conducted at certified digital test rooms featuring 6 specialized subject modules.
• Paper-based TestAS (Written): The traditional paper-and-pencil multiple-choice format featuring 4 subject modules.

Read our detailed format breakdown: Digital TestAS vs. Paper TestAS: Detailed Format Comparison.

2. What sections constitute the Paper-based TestAS?

The written exam consists of two consecutive test sections:

• Core Test (Kerntest): Mandatory for all examinees. The test lasts 110 minutes across 4 subtests: Solving Quantitative Problems, Inferring Relations, Completing Number Series, and Continuing Numerical Patterns.
• Subject-Specific Module: Lasts between 145 and 150 minutes. Examinees select exactly 1 of the following 4 academic fields:
  • Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Social Sciences.
  • Engineering.
  • Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences.
  • Economics.

If applying for a German student visa or university admission, completing a subject module is compulsory. In any single exam date, you can only register for one subject module.

Read our comprehensive field selection guide: How to Choose Your TestAS Subject Module for VGU and Germany.

3. Should you take the exam in English or German?

You can select either German or English when registering:

• Your language choice does not affect how your score is calculated or scaled.
• The test language carries no negative implications for any future academic admissions.
• Choose the language in which you read, comprehend, and reason fastest under time pressure.
• TestAS tests logical deduction rather than language mastery. If your German is below a firm B2 level, taking the exam in English prevents losing valuable minutes to vocabulary hurdles.

4. How can you effectively prepare for TestAS?

Because TestAS evaluates cognitive logic and reasoning rather than memorized academic facts, rote memorization does not work.

However, you can markedly improve your score through format familiarization and strategy training:

• Review official sample exams in German and English on testas.de.
• Master pacing techniques and practice elimination strategies for quantitative reasoning problems.
• Check our complete preparation roadmap: TestAS Preparation Guide from A–Z: Roadmap and Time Allocation.

Group 2: Eligibility, Retakes, and Test Centres in Vietnam

5. Are there age restrictions for taking TestAS?

There are no age restrictions. Students in Grade 11 or Grade 12 are fully eligible to sit the exam. Taking TestAS in Grade 11 is an optimal strategy to alleviate senior-year graduation stress.

6. How many times can you take TestAS?

You may sit the exam unlimited times. If your initial score does not satisfy your expectations, you can register for subsequent dates and submit the highest scorecard.

7. Where can you take TestAS in Vietnam?

Accredited examination centres in Vietnam include:

• Hanoi: Vietnamese-German Centre (VDZ), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST).
• Ho Chi Minh City: Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City (Deutsches Haus, 33 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1).
• Binh Duong: Vietnamese-German University (VGU) for university-administered test sessions.

View complete schedule: Official TestAS 2027 Exam Dates and Deadlines.

Group 3: Registration, Examination Fees, and Score Reports

8. Where do you register for TestAS?

• Create an account and register online at: www.testas.de.
• Track active registration windows and session dates at: www.testas.de/en/pruefungstermine_en.htm.

9. How do you pay the examination fee?

• Pay online using an international credit or debit card.
• The portal accepts Mastercard and Visa enabled for e-commerce transactions.
• The standard international registration fee is 150 Euro per session.

10. When are scores released and how long are they valid?

• Approximately 4 weeks after test day, scores become available in your online account at www.testas.de. You can download an official PDF score certificate with electronic verification codes.
• TestAS certificates are valid indefinitely (lifetime validity). Your scores never expire, eliminating the renewal pressure typical of language exams.

Group 4: Interpreting Your TestAS Score Report

TestAS does not assign pass or fail grades. Universities evaluate applicants using standardized psychometric benchmarks:

1. Percentile Rank (Prozentrang):
   • Indicates the percentage of global test-takers who scored equal to or lower than you.
   • Example: A Percentile Rank of 60 means your performance equals or exceeds 60% of all examinees taking that session worldwide.
2. Standard Score (Standardwert):
   • A normalized metric designed to calibrate performance across diverse testing dates.
   • The scale spans from 70 to 130 points, with 100 points representing the international mean benchmark.

Standard Score (Standardwert) Interpretation Matrix

Review score targets: Germany Study Abroad Requirements and Safe TestAS Admission Scores.

Group 5: Practical Scenario for 11th Graders

Question:

"I am currently in Grade 11 with good English skills, and I plan to study at a German university in German later. Should I take TestAS now? If my first score isn't ideal, how many times can I retake it?"

Expert Advice:

You are in a prime position to take TestAS in Grade 11:

• You already possess functional academic English proficiency (B1+ or higher).
• The exam has no age prerequisites.
• Score certificates are independent of language medium: testing in English remains fully valid for German-taught degrees later.
• You can take TestAS well in advance of your APS evaluation.
• Retakes are unlimited, allowing you to re-register whenever needed.

Friendly note: Every registration requires the standard 150 Euro fee. Thorough strategy and timing preparation ensures you achieve your target score on your first attempt.

Group 6: Authorized Contacts in Vietnam

For direct administrative inquiries in Vietnam, contact authorized representatives:

1. Hanoi Center

• Coordinator: Ms. Vo Thuy Anh
• Address: German Language Department (Rooms 203 + 204), Vietnamese-German Centre, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
• Phone: +84 24 3868 2179 (Ext: -101)
• Email: anh.vothuy@hust.edu.vn

2. Ho Chi Minh City Center

• Coordinator: Mr. Ha Minh Ngoc
• Address: Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City, Deutsches Haus Building, 33 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1
• Phone: +84 28 3832 6716 (Ext: -16)
• Email: Minhngoc.Ha@goethe.de

3. Direct TestAS Headquarters in Germany

• Submit inquiries through the central support portal at www.testas.de.

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