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TestDaF Teilnehmende

TestDaF levels

Subtest level descriptions

The Can Do Statements are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe (CEFR) and the levels of the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe). They provide test takers and institutions such as universities in Germany and abroad or employers, to whom the TestDaF certificate is presented, with internationally comparable information on the language level of the respective person.

Prüfungsteil Lesen

Reading Comprehension

TestDaF level 5 (TDN* 5) He/She can understand the overall meaning and specific details of linguistically and structurally complex written texts relevant to common study-related situations and on general academic topics. He/She can also extract implicit information from them.

TestDaF level 4 (TDN 4) He/She can understand the overall meaning and specific details of written texts relevant to common study-related situations and on general academic topics which are mainly written in non-specialised language.

TestDaF level 3 (TDN 3) He/She can understand the overall meaning and the most important details of written texts relevant to common study-related situations; can partly understand written texts on general academic topics.

Prüfungsteil Hören

Listening Comprehension

TestDaF level 5 (TDN 5) He/She can understand the overall meaning and specific details of linguistically and structurally complex spoken texts relevant to common study-related situations and on general academic topics..

TestDaF level 4 (TDN 4) He/She can understand the main ideas of spoken texts relevant to common study-related situations and on general academic topics which contain mainly non-specialised language.

TestDaF level 3 (TDN 3) He/She can understand the overall meaning and the most important details of spoken texts relevant to common study-related situations; can partly understand spoken texts on general academic topics.

Prüfungsteil Schreiben

Writing

TestDaF level 5 (TDN 5) He/She can write well-structured and cohesive texts in a style appropriate to the context using a differentiated vocabulary in common study-related situations (e.g. a report for the grant awarding body) and in a general academic context (e.g. course notes, synopsis of a lecture).

TestDaF level 4 (TDN 4) He/She can write generally structured and cohesive texts in a style generally appropriate to the context in common study-related situations (e.g. a report for the grant awarding body) and in a general academic context (e.g. course notes, synopsis of a lecture); linguistic deficiencies do not impair understanding. 

TestDaF level 3 (TDN 3) He/She can write generally comprehensible and structured texts in common study-related situations (e.g. a report for the grant awarding body); can write simply structured texts in a general academic context (e.g. course notes, synopsis of a lecture); linguistic and strucural deficiencies may impair understanding.

Prüfungsteil Sprechen

Speaking

TestDaF level 5 (TDN 5) He/She can communicate clearly in a style appropriate to the context using a differentiated vocabulary in common study-related situations (e.g. university registration, course enrolment) and in a general academic context (e.g. current affairs discussions). 

TestDaF level 4 (TDN 4) He/She can communicate in a style generally appropriate to the context in common studyrelated situations (e.g. university registration, course enrolment) and in a general academic context (e.g. current affairs discussions); linguistic deficiencies do not impair communication. 

TestDaF level 3 (TDN 3) He/She can communicate in common study-related situations (e.g. university registration, course enrolment), linguistic deficiencies may, however, slow down understanding; in a general academic context (e.g. current affairs discussions) the communicative intention is only partly realised.

 

*TestDaF-Niveaus (TDN)

TestDaF levels