Planning to pass TestDaF first time round?

A small group in a TestDaF preparation course

Level system of TestDaF

TestDaF is an advanced level language exam and spans levels B2.1 to C1.2 of the Common European Framework. TestDaF assesses your proficiency level and awards the following grades:

• TestDaF-level 5 (TDN 5) - pass
• TestDaF-level 4 (TDN 4) - pass
• TestDaF-level 3 (TDN 3) - a pass for some technical colleges but not universities

TestDaF 5 (TDN 5) is the highest level. A level of TDN 4 shows that you are linguistically qualified to study at any German university. TestDaF does not differentiate between levels lower than TDN 3 - instead it is simply stated that the exam participant has not yet reached the TestDaF entry level.

Common European Framework for Languages
A Basic User				B Independent User				C Proficient User
A1 Breakthrough		A2 Waystage		B1 Threshold		B2 Vantage		C1 Effective Proficiency		C2 Mastery
A1.1	A1.2	A2.1	A2.2	B1.2	B1.2	B2.1	B2.2	C1.1	C1.2	C2.1	C2.2
						TDN3 TDN4 TDN5

TestDaF registration

1. Use the official exam registration form [ TestDaF registration form ].
   Please see the notes accompanying registration and exam dates and deadlines. [ TestDaF registration notes].
   
   
2. Print out the registration form and send it to us...
   • by post: Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT, Hauptwachstraße 19 D-96047 Bamberg or
   • fax: +49-(0)951-204474 oder
   • e-mail (scan): info@test-daf-exam.de

   or bring it to us in person at Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT and register there.

TestDaF preparation

We offer two preparatory courses taught in groups of 4 to 6 students: a 7 week course (for level B2.2) and a 3 week course (for level C1.1 and higher).[ TestDaF preparation registration form ].

The schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday	from 9:00 to 12:30
Wednesday	from 9:00 to 10:30

The course comprises of 18 lessons per week . Text books are not included in the course fees.

For a command of German at level B2.2 or above please consider the following course:

7–week preparatory course
In the first 4 weeks vocabulary will be extended and any existing grammatical weaknesses will be addressed. The last 3 weeks will focus on exam techniques using specimen and previous exams.

For a command of German at level C1.1 or above please consider the following course::

3–week preparatory course
Your knowledge of German grammar and vocabulary already corresponds to the end of level C1. The focus will therefore be on developing exam techniques using specimen and previous exams.

If you have not yet reached level B2, we strongly recommend that you attend the standard intensive German course Standard-Intensive-Course.

Schedule 2008

Fees

7-week preparatory course
	placement test with immediate response	€       15 (free on course booking)
	preparatory course	€ 1.386
	TestDaF exam	€    150
3-week preparatory course
	placement test with immediate respons	€    15 (free on course booking)
	preparatory course	€  600
	TestDaF-exam	€  150

Placement test – C-Test

Before yourTestDaF preparatory course or TestDaF exam we recommend that your command of German is evaluated. We therefore offer the following:

• You take a valid placement test at the Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT TestDaF-Center. It is a C-test which takes the form of eight short texts of differing degrees of difficulty. The test lasts 40 minutes. Test example: "Sie werden in einem Ihrer Niveaustufe entsprechenden Vorbereitungskurs trainiert. Um a_ einem de_ Kurse teilzu_________, müssen S__ einen Einstuf__________ablegen. I__ Einstufungstest wer______acht Te____ mit untersch____________ Schwierigkeitsgrad präse_________."

• You can take the test on paper or online. If you wish to take the test online, please register online at www.ondaf.de . On that page you will find out when this test is offered at Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt in Bamberg.
  Note: When booking the online test choose „standard version“.
  

• Placement
  The placement test is on your first course day. After the test you will receive an immediate response regarding your current command of German. You will not receive a copy of your test paper.
  
  
• You can register for the placement test by emailing info@test-daf-exam.de. Please include your name and the required placement test date and transfer the fee of 15€ to our account.

  Alexandra von Rohr, Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt
  Stadtsparkasse Bamberg
  Lange Straße 25–29, D-96047 Bamberg

  International transfers
  IBAN: DE72 770500000300731270
  BIC: BYLADEM1SKB

  National transfers
  banc code: 77050000
  account numer: 300731270

  Please note:

  • *If you have booked a TestDaF preparatory course with Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT you will not be required to pay the placement test fee.
  • Participants registering for TestDaF from outside Bamberg, can also take the test on the first day of the course at 8 o'clock at Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT.
  • To help you with your preparation we recommend the following text book: "Fit für den TestDaF" from Hueber publisher, price€ 15,50 incl. two audio CDs, ISBN 3190016992. [ jetzt bestellen bei amazon.de ].

Detailled information on the structure of TestDaF

The TestDaF exam structure

The total exam. time is 190 minutes plus a break of around 50 minutes.

I. Reading comprehension - 60 minutes:

This section of the exam. consists of 3 texts of increasing difficulty.

• Text 1 = A short text from an everyday situation at university - matching ten statements to short paragraphs = 10 minutes
• Text 2 = journalistic text on an academic subject - 10 questions must be answered, 450-550 words, multiple choice (three possibilities) = 20 minutes
• Text 3 =Academic specialist text - 10 questions must be answered, 550-600 words, multiple choice (three possibilities) = 20 minutes
  Transcribing answers = 10 minutes

BREAK = 05 minutes

II. Listening Comprehension - 40 minutes:

This section of the exam. consists of three spoken texts of increasing difficulty.

• Text 1 = Everyday conversation, dialogue from university life. The conversation lasts 2-3 minutes, there are 8 questions and answers must be given in key words. You will hear the dialogue only once.
• Text 2 = A radio interview or discussion on a subject related to study or a general academic subject. The interview lasts 3-4 minutes. You must determine whether ten statements are true or false. You will hear the interview only once.
• Text 3 = This is a longer text - a presentation or another interview on an academic subject. The text lasts 4-5 minutes and you will hear it twice.
  Transcribing answers = 10 minutes

BREAK = 30 minutes

III. Written Expression = 60 minutes

For this section of the exam. you are required to write a text. An integral part of this section is the description of facts which are represented in diagrammatic or tabular form. In constructing the text, the following structure should be taken into account: introduction - linking paragraph - description of a diagram or table - linking paragraph - main argument - conclusion.

BREAK = 10 minutes

IV. Oral Expression = 30 minutes

This section of the exam. consists of 7 oral tasks. You will be required to give information - specifically to give advice, make requests and to persuade somebody of your point of view. In addition you must describe a diagram or table and express and justify your opinion on a specified topic.

For further information please refer to TestDaF-Institut

Comparison of TestDaF with similar exams

• In comparison to the DSH:
  • TestDaF takes place on 6 different dates per year, as opposed to 2.
  • The TestDaF exam lasts just one day - the DSH lasts two.
  • The TestDaF exam is standardised throughout Germany and is not dependent on a particular county or university - i.e. the exam standard is the same for all participants.
• In comparison to the Goethe-Institute ZOP:
  • At 150 €, the TestDaF exam fee is considerably lower than that of the ZOP at 256 €.
  • The TestDaF exam. lasts only one day, whereas the ZOP is spread over three days.
  • The TestDaF content is orientated around every day student situations.

TestDaF Modelltest registration

For those who do not wish to take a preparatory course we strongly recommend that you participate in at least one specimen exam (Modelltest). The advantages are obvious. You become familiar with the exam and the exam format, discover whether you meet its linguistic requirements and whether you can complete the exam within the specified time. We will correct the exam and provide you with the relevant information to help you prepare.
The specimen exam (Modelltest) takes place from 09:15 to 13:15 or upon agreement from 14:00 to18:15. Please bring an empty tape for the oral exam. The fee for the specimen exam is 35 €.

The specimen test always takes place on the Wednesday 4 weeks before the exam . Please confirm the test date via email info@test-daf-exam.de. Please provide your name, age and nationality via E-Mail or in person at Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt TestDaF-Center. Payment for the specimen test should be paid in cash at Sprachinstitut TREFF PUNKT or transferred to the following bank account:

Alexandra von Rohr, Sprachinstitut Treffpunkt
Stadtsparkasse Bamberg
Lange Straße 25–29
D-96047 Bamberg
IBAN: DE72 770500000300731270
BIC: BYLADEM1SKB

If you have any further queries or require any further assistance please send us an e-mail: info@test-daf-exam.de or call: 0951-204404 (national), +49-951-204404 (international).

About the TestDaF centre in Bamberg: TREFF PUNKT Language Institute

TREFF PUNKT Language Institute, founded in 1995, is an international language institute for adults learning German as a foreign language. The language school is a member of FaDaF (Fachverband Deutsch als Fremdsprache e.V.) and is recognized by the State for further training study.

Our language institute is positioned next to the Main-Danube canal at the end of the pedestrian zone in Bamberg and is a comfortable 12 minute walk from the train station. Our teaching rooms are purpose-built, light and functionally furnished. We are a high quality school with an open and friendly atmosphere.

The lessons are taken by well-qualified and experienced teachers, most of whom have a great deal of experience in both teaching abroad and in Germany, as well as having the obligatory academic training. We place great importance on intercultural and communication-orientated teaching. We offer the newest methods in language teaching - our close contact with the German faculty at Bamberg University ensures we are always up to date. As we are a small, highly specialized language institute with German students from all over the world, we focus particularly on our participants individual wishes and learning goals. You will definitely feel good here and as a result will learn quickly!