The digital version of the TestDaF exam is becoming increasingly popular. There are several reasons for this: the paper-based TestDaF is not available in every country or at every examination centre, only a limited number of paper-based test dates are offered throughout the year, and the results of the digital exam are usually available sooner.
If you would like to learn more about the differences between the two TestDaF formats, read our article comparing the paper-based and digital versions of the exam.
However, the digital TestDaF also has some specific features that may create additional difficulties both during preparation and on the actual exam day.
A Large Number of Task Types
One of the main challenges of the digital TestDaF is the large number of different task formats.
While many modern international language exams use only a few basic task types (usually three to five), some sections of the digital TestDaF require candidates to master seven different formats. In addition, the time is limited separately for each task. In traditional written exams, candidates can usually decide for themselves how much time to spend on a particular task. In the digital TestDaF, there is much less flexibility.
Some task formats are also quite specific. For example, you may need to identify the speaker’s communicative intention, quickly match pieces of information, or complete a task within a very short period of time. This is why, during your preparation, it is important not only to improve your German language skills but also to become thoroughly familiar with the format of the exam itself.
If you would like to gain more practice and feel more confident on exam day, we recommend working with our TestDaF practice tests.
Technical Problems at the Examination Centre
For some candidates, however, the tasks themselves are not even the biggest problem.
Over the years, our students have repeatedly told us about technical and organisational difficulties at test centres in different countries. Such problems can be particularly unpleasant during the speaking section of the exam, for example if the equipment does not work properly or a candidate’s response is not recorded because of a technical failure. In such situations, the issue may be resolved by the exam organisers. However, even the possibility of retaking the affected section free of charge does not always compensate for the inconvenience. Because of the delay, your results may become available later than you need them for your university application. And if the examination centre is located in another city or country, you may also have to pay for travel and accommodation again.
For this reason, we recommend that you do not register for the last possible TestDaF date before your university application deadline. If possible, choose an earlier exam date. This will leave you some extra time even if unexpected technical or organisational problems occur.
Other Candidates During the Speaking Section
Another specific feature of the digital TestDaF is the way the speaking section is conducted.
During the exam, other candidates around you will be speaking at the same time. Of course, every candidate wears headphones, but the people sitting nearby may still speak quite loudly. This can sometimes make it more difficult to concentrate on your own answer, especially if you are not used to speaking German while hearing other voices in the background.
It is worth preparing for this in advance.
During your preparation, we recommend that you always practise your answers out loud and occasionally add background speech - for example, German news, a podcast or another video with spoken content. The purpose of this exercise is not to learn to ignore every possible noise, but to become accustomed to continuing your own answer without being distracted by other people’s voices.
If you would like to prepare systematically for the speaking section of the digital TestDaF, we recommend our preparation course.
Typing During the Writing Section
The writing section of the digital TestDaF can also present some specific challenges.
On the one hand, typing a text on a computer is often more convenient than writing it by hand. You can return to a previous paragraph, delete an unsuccessful sentence, replace a word or add new information without having to make numerous corrections and crossings-out.
On the other hand, you need to be able to type German texts quickly enough.
During preparation, candidates sometimes pay a great deal of attention to text structure, vocabulary and grammar but rarely practise writing under realistic time limits. As a result, the problem on exam day may not be that they do not know what to write, but that they simply cannot type the entire planned text within the available time. For this reason, at least some of your practice texts should be completed on a computer and with a timer.
You should also bear in mind that during the exam you will not be working on your own computer, but on equipment provided by the examination centre. The keyboard, the position of individual keys or the keyboard layout may differ slightly from what you are used to.
However, there is no need to worry excessively about occasional typing mistakes. Minor typos, such as letters being accidentally reversed (Buchstabendreher), are generally not a serious problem if it is clear that they are simply mechanical typing errors and the meaning of the word remains understandable.
It is much more important to learn to write quickly enough, in a clear and well-structured way, within the time available. If you would like to prepare thoroughly for the writing section of the digital TestDaF, we recommend our preparation course.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Stress in the Digital TestDaF
The digital TestDaF is not necessarily more difficult than the paper-based version. However, it requires a somewhat different type of preparation.
Simply having a good level of German is not enough. Before the exam, you should be thoroughly familiar with all task types, become accustomed to strict time limits, practise your speaking responses out loud, learn to type quickly, and complete a full practice exam under conditions that are as close as possible to the real test at least a few times. The fewer things that feel new or unfamiliar on the TestDaF, the more attention you can devote to what really matters - the content of your answers and your German language skills.
For this reason, we recommend not only learning strategies for individual task types but also regularly completing full practice tests under realistic time limits. This will help you identify your weaknesses in advance and avoid many unpleasant surprises on exam day.
