German Exams
The detail pages linked here are written in Turkish.
From academic requirements in Turkey to university and work in Germany — choose the exam that best fits your goal.
Which exam is right for you?
There are different exams for proving your German, each with a different purpose. The right choice depends on your goal (academia, university, work, migration) and on which institution asks for the certificate.
On this page you will find every exam page on the site: first test your level, then go to the detailed overview and preparation page of the exam that fits your goal.
TEST YOUR LEVEL FIRST • A1–B2
Placement Test and Practice Exams
Placement test: A free test based on the criteria of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Vocabulary and grammar questions show your level within minutes.
Practice exams: Hands-on practice exams at A1, A2, B1 and B2, for placement and for preparing for an official exam.
→ Start the placement test · Practice exams (A1, A2, B1, B2)
FREE • A1–C2
Exam Simulations
The reading, listening, writing and speaking sections of the Goethe, telc, ÖSD, DTZ, TestDaF and DSH exams, in the format of the official sample exams. Free from A1 to C2, so you can try out the timing and question types before the real exam.
TURKEY • ACADEMIC
YDS German
The Foreign Language Proficiency Exam (Yabancı Dil Bilgisi Seviye Tespit Sınavı), held in Turkey by ÖSYM. It is the required language certificate for academic careers, public-sector appointments, PhD programmes and associate professorship applications.
🔵 Who is it for? Academics, PhD candidates, civil servants, and anyone applying for a foreign-language allowance.
🔵 Scoring: Scored out of 100; the thresholds of 80, 90 and 95 apply to different grades.
🔵 Format: Multiple choice, with no listening or speaking section — mainly reading and grammar.
TURKEY • UNIVERSITY ADMISSION
YDT German
The Foreign Language Test (YDT) in YKS, ÖSYM's university entrance exam. It is taken by anyone who wants to enter a degree programme that admits students with a German score (e.g. German language teaching, German language and literature, translation and interpreting).
🔵 Format: 80 questions, 120 minutes; every 4 wrong answers cancel out 1 correct answer.
🔵 Level: The questions are generally at B1–B2 level.
→ YDT German page and practice exam
GERMANY • UNIVERSITY
TestDaF & DSH
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache and Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang — the two standard language exams for international students applying to German universities.
🔵 Who is it for? Anyone who wants to do a bachelor's, master's or PhD in Germany.
🔵 Level required: TestDaF TDN 4 or higher, and DSH-2 or DSH-3, are the thresholds generally accepted.
🔵 Format: The four skills are scored separately; the content is mainly academic.
→ TestDaF preparation and simulation · DSH exam and simulation
INTERNATIONAL • A1–C2
Goethe-Zertifikat
The Goethe-Institut's international German certificate from A1 to C2. The exam has reading, listening, writing and speaking sections; the overview page explains the format, modules and pass criteria.
→ Goethe-Zertifikat page and simulations
INTERNATIONAL • PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC
telc Deutsch
Issued by the Frankfurt-based The European Language Certificates, this international German certificate is valid in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and recognised in Turkey by YÖK/ÖSYM. It is offered at every level from A1 to C2.
🔵 Who is it for? Permanent residence, citizenship, job applications, recognition of professional qualifications (healthcare, engineering), applying to German universities (C1 Hochschule).
🔵 Specialised exams: Medizin (healthcare), Pflege (nursing and care), Beruf (the workplace), Hochschule (university).
🔵 Format: Four skills; B1 is modular (you can retake individual parts); taken digitally in Turkey.
AUSTRIA • A1–C2
ÖSD — Austrian German Language Diploma
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch, Austria's German language certificate. It is offered at levels ZA1 to ZC2 in a modular format; the overview page also explains how it differs from the Goethe-Zertifikat.
GERMANY • FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Family Reunification Exam (A1)
The A1 German exam required for a family reunification visa to Germany. Free preparation covering the exam sections, scoring, the application process, sample questions and speaking cards.
→ Family reunification exam · Exam sections · A1 sample letters
GERMANY • CITIZENSHIP
Leben in Deutschland (Citizenship Test)
Leben in Deutschland test and the Einbürgerungstest for citizenship applications: a practice test with 30 general questions from the official BAMF catalogue and 3 questions on your federal state, with Turkish translations and explanations.
→ Leben in Deutschland practice test
Quick decision guide
🔵 Don't know your level? → start with the Placement Test, then a practice exam for your level
🔵 In Turkey, for admission to German language degree programmes → YDT German
🔵 In Turkey, for academic appointments, the public sector or a PhD → YDS German
🔵 In Germany, for a bachelor's, master's or PhD → TestDaF or DSH (depending on what the university accepts)
🔵 In Germany, for residence, citizenship, work or professional recognition → telc Deutsch (in the version for your field)
🔵 Applying to a German university and looking for a flexible alternative to TestDaF → telc C1 Hochschule
🔵 For a family reunification application to Germany → A1 German exam (family reunification page)
🔵 In Germany, for citizenship applications, the knowledge test → Leben in Deutschland / Einbürgerungstest
🔵 Looking for an Austrian certificate? → ÖSD
🔵 To try every section before the real exam → Exam Simulations
Note: the institution or employer you are applying to may require a specific exam. Check their admission criteria directly before you apply.