General
TestAS is a test for all who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate programme at a German university.
TestAS measures cognitive abilities important for study success. The Subject Module measures whether you are able to grasp the ways of thinking and working in the subject areas and whether you have the necessary application and transfer skills.
As a cognitive test, TestAS does not measure aspects such as personality or motivation. TestAS is available in two different formats: paper-based and digital. Both versions are offered several times a year. The current schedule can be found here.
TestAS helps universities to make fair and objective selection and admission decisions that are tailored to their needs. International educational certificates are often difficult to compare. TestAS was developed specifically for university admission. It measures academic aptitude on a standardised scale. This makes it possible to rank applicants and set minimum scores for admission, thus enabling the academic performance of applicants to be compared.
For you as a prospective student, the test results help you to assess your prospects of success in your studies in Germany.
Both test forms consist of a Core Module (digital TestAS) / Core Test (paper-based TestAS) and a Subject Module (see How is TestAS structured). While the types of questions differ slightly, both test versions measure the same abilities overall. The results of both versions are therefore comparable. The paper-based TestAS takes about 4.5 hours including breaks, the digital TestAS 3.5 hours. In addition, the digital TestAS offers a broader range of subjects for the subject-specific module.
When taking the paper-based TestAS, test takers may take written notes on the provided concept paper. These must be handed in together with the other examination documents after the test. Taking notes is not allowed in the digital TestAS, as the tasks and difficulty calculation are designed accordingly.
You can take the TestAS in English or German. The test consists of the following parts (modules):
- Core Module/Core Test: measures general cognitive abilities necessary for academic study.
- Subject Modules: test skills that are important for successful study in certain fields of study.
They can choose from four or six Subject Modules:
- Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences (paper-based and digital TestAS)
- Engineering (paper-based and digital TestAS)
- Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences (paper-based and digital TestAS)
- Economics (paper-based and digital TestAS)
- Medicine (digital TestAS)
- Life Sciences (digital TestAS)
Find out more about the different types of test via the following links: paper-based TestAS and digital TestAS.
TestAS can be taken at licensed test centres worldwide. Please note that some test centres do not offer both examination formats. If there is no test centre in your country, please contact us using the contact form.
No. Although TestAS is primarily aimed at international applicants for an undergraduate degree programme in Germany, it is open to all age groups. TestAS can be taken in the final year of secondary school. It is not advised to take it earlier than that.
No. You must take both the Core Test/Core Module and a Subject Module. The choice of Subject Module depends on your intended field of study and the admission requirements of German universities.
The paper-based TestAS offers modules for the fields of study humanities, cultural and social studies (or humanities, cultural and social sciences in the digital TestAS), engineering, mathematics, computer science and natural sciences, and economics. The digital TestAS also offers modules for life sciences and medicine.
Yes. There is no limit on participation in the test. However, you should be aware that the TestAS measures mainly knowledge and skills that cannot be learned and trained in the short term. It is therefore unlikely that you will achieve a significantly better result through mere repetition.
Yes. You can consult your examination papers at g.a.s.t. by submitting an application within four weeks after the notification of the result.
You can also request a written review of the results by an examination board within this period. The result of this review will then be communicated to you.
g.a.s.t. has defined three country groups with different prices. You can find out the price for the country in which you wish to take the TestAS by registering online.
Digital TestAS: Payment can be made in the participant portal either by credit card, direct debit, PayPal, Alipay or Sofort Pay by Bank. To pay by direct debit, you need an account at a German bank or savings bank.
Paper-based TestAS: During the online registration, you will be shown the payment options offered by the test centre.
The examination fee is either paid directly to g.a.s.t. via the participant portal or in cash or by bank transfer directly to the respective test centre. If you pay at the test centre, you will receive a so-called transaction number (TAN) for the desired TestAS examination. You will need this TAN for online registration. The TAN is valid until the registration period for the respective TestAS examination has ended.
More about payment options at g.a.s.t.
