How to Register for TestDaF: Step-by-Step Guide with Images

By Nguyen Tan Tri

Do you need to register for TestDaF but find the German-language TestDaF/g.a.s.t. portal unfamiliar? This guide takes you through the complete process: choosing a test date, finding a test centre, creating an account, entering your identity-document details, reviewing your information and paying the fee.

Before you begin, prepare the following:

• A valid passport or identity document.
• A recent, unedited digital portrait photo showing your full face clearly.
• A personal email address that you currently use.
• Your contact address and postal code.
• An international payment method supported by the system.
• A decision on whether to take Digital TestDaF or paper-based TestDaF.

> Important: Digital TestDaF and paper-based TestDaF have different structures. Check the Format column before registering. After payment, do not assume that you will be able to switch to the other format.

Step 1: Open the TestDaF area for test takers

Go to the official website at testdaf.de.

On the homepage, select FÜR TEILNEHMENDE or open the TEILNEHMENDE menu. This is the section for test takers.

Do not select the wrong area:

• FÜR HOCHSCHULEN: For universities.
• FÜR TESTZENTREN: For test centres.

Step 2: Select “Jetzt anmelden” to begin

In the test-taker area, the Nächste TestDaF-Termine panel shows several upcoming test dates.

Select JETZT ANMELDEN to open the full list of tests and start the registration process.

On the same page, you can also:

• Select TESTZENTREN to find a test centre.
• Select ANFORDERUNGEN to learn about TestDaF requirements and who the test is designed for.

Step 3: Choose the test date and format

The Prüfungen weltweit page lists test sessions by year.

The important columns are:

• Prüfungstermin: Test date.
• Nummer: Test-session number.
• Anmeldefrist: Registration period or deadline.
• Ergebnis: Expected result date.
• Format: Test format.
• Anmeldung: Button used to start registration.

The computer icon represents Digital TestDaF. The paper-and-pen icon represents paper-based TestDaF.

Once you have chosen a suitable date, select the arrow in the Anmeldung column.

Pay particular attention to two dates:

• Registration deadline: Registration for Digital TestDaF normally closes about eight days before the test; registration for paper-based TestDaF normally closes about four weeks before the test.
• Result date: Digital TestDaF results are usually available after about three weeks; paper-based TestDaF results normally take about six weeks.

Choose a session whose result date is before your university or uni-assist application deadline. Dates shown in the images are examples only; the information displayed in the portal when you register is authoritative.

Step 4: Choose the test region

After selecting the registration arrow, the system opens Testzentrensuche: Wählen Sie Ihre Region, meaning “Test-centre search: Choose your region”.

Choose DEUTSCHLAND if you want to take the test in Germany.

Choose WELTWEIT if you want to take it in Vietnam or another country outside Germany.

The Reservierungsnummer field is only for candidates who have received a specific reservation number from a test centre. Leave it blank if the centre has not given you one.

Step 5: Search for TestDaF sessions in Vietnam

On the Testzentrensuche weltweit page, select Vietnam from the country list.

Then enter the date range:

• Zeitraum von: Start date.
• Zeitraum bis: End date.

Select SUCHE STARTEN to search.

Use a sufficiently broad date range so that the system can display more options. If no results appear, try:

• Expanding the date range.
• Checking a different test session.
• Searching in another country if this is practical.
• Checking again later, as centres and available places may be updated.

Step 6: Choose a test centre and an available session

Search results are grouped by test date. Each row includes an icon showing whether the session is digital or paper-based.

Open a test date to see the available centres. The system may list centres such as:

• Vietnamesisch-Deutsches Zentrum Hanoi – HUST.
• Goethe-Institut Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt.

Check all of the following carefully:

• Test date.
• Test format.
• Test-centre name.
• Exact address.
• Whether you can reach the centre on time.

Once you have selected a suitable centre, click ANMELDEN.

A centre appearing in the list does not mean that it offers both TestDaF formats. Always follow the Format icon for the specific test date.

Step 7: Review the registration cart and accessibility request

The Warenkorb screen is the first step in the booking process. It displays:

• The TestDaF format.
• The test-session number.
• Prüfungsdatum: Test date.
• Testzentrum: Test centre.
• Preis: Fee.

Review all details before continuing.

The €110 shown in the image applies only to the example booking. Fees may vary by country, centre and test session. Pay the amount shown in your own registration.

Requesting adjusted test conditions

The Anmeldung mit Beeinträchtigung section asks whether you need adjusted test conditions because of a disability, medical condition or other special difficulty.

• Select Nein if you do not need an adjustment.
• Select Ja if adjusted conditions are required.

If you select Ja, the portal may ask you to describe your situation and upload medical documents in the following steps. Submit the request as early as possible rather than waiting until shortly before the test.

After checking everything, select WEITER.

Step 8: Sign in to or create a g.a.s.t. account

If you already have an account for TestDaF, TestAS, onSET or DUO, sign in with that account. Do not create a second one.

If you do not have an account, complete the registration form:

• Anrede: Title — Frau, Herr or Andere.
• Vorname: Given name.
• Nachname: Family name.
• Geburtsdatum: Date of birth.
• Herkunftsland: Country of origin.
• E-Mail-Adresse: Email address.
• Benutzername: Username.
• Passwort: Password.

Your name and date of birth must exactly match the identity document you will bring to the test. Do not use a nickname, abbreviations or an arbitrary reversal of your name order.

Confirm that you have read the privacy policy, complete reCAPTCHA and select REGISTRIEREN.

Use a personal email address that you can access long term. TestDaF uses it for registration confirmation, test information and account recovery.

Step 9: Enter your address and ID details and upload a photo

At the Ihre Daten step, complete your contact and identification details.

Contact address

Enter:

• Straße und Nr.: Street and house number.
• Postleitzahl: Postal code.
• Stadt: City.
• Land: Country.

If you are unsure of your postal code, verify it for your current address. Do not enter a random number merely to get past the form.

Identity document

In the identification section:

• Select Art der Identifikation, the document type you will use.
• Enter the complete document number under Nummer Ihres Ausweises.
• Check every letter and digit.

According to the official instructions, you need a valid National Passport or valid National ID.

Select the correct document type, enter the complete number exactly and bring the same original document on test day. If the document type, number or personal details do not match, you may be refused admission.

Portrait photo

Select Foto hochladen to upload your photo.

The photo should:

• Be recent.
• Show your full face clearly.
• Be a genuine photo of you.
• Not have the face obscured.
• Not be edited in a way that changes your appearance.

The uploaded photo will be compared with your identity document and with you during identity checks.

When finished, select WEITER.

Step 10: Review all information and accept the terms

The Übersicht page shows the key details again:

• Name, date of birth and email.
• Test date.
• Test format.
• Test centre.
• Fee.

Compare every item with your identity document and your original selection.

Then read the confirmation items carefully:

• Privacy policy.
• General terms and conditions.
• Special contractual conditions for TestDaF.
• Options to receive further information or participate in additional activities.

The checkboxes do not all have the same purpose. Read each statement before accepting it, especially optional marketing or additional-programme consent.

If you find an error, select ZURÜCK. When everything is correct, select BESTÄTIGEN.

Step 11: Choose a payment method and complete registration

On the payment page, check or enter:

• Vorname: Given name.
• Nachname: Family name.
• E-Mail: Email address.
• Straße: Address.
• Postleitzahl: Postal code.
• Stadt: City.
• Land: Country.
• Gesamtbetrag: Total amount due.

The system may offer payment methods such as:

• International payment card.
• PayPal.
• Alipay.

The options actually available depend on the country, test session and payment system at the time of registration.

Choose the appropriate method and follow the on-screen instructions. Do not close the page or go back while the transaction is being processed.

Registration is complete only when:

• Payment has succeeded,
• you have received a confirmation email, and
• the test appears in the Participant Portal.

Keep the confirmation email, receipt and a screenshot of the booking status.

If you do not receive a confirmation email

First:

• Check the Spam, Junk and Unknown folders.
• Sign in to the Participant Portal and verify the email address in your account.
• Check whether the test appears in your account.
• Check the payment transaction.

If the email address is correct but no confirmation arrives, contact TestDaF through the official support form and provide the test details and the error you encountered. TestDaF registration FAQ.

If you entered incorrect registration information

You can report errors or change information such as the document type and number through the Participant Portal before the registration deadline.

According to TestDaF guidance, changing the identity document may also require sending a scan of the document to the official contact address before the change takes effect.

Do not wait until test day, because the original document will be checked against your registration data.

Cancelling or changing a TestDaF session

If you cancel through the Participant Portal before the registration deadline, you may receive a fee refund. TestDaF may retain an administrative charge of up to 15%.

You will not receive a refund if you:

• Fail to attend without cancelling on time.
• Abandon the test on your own initiative.
• Cannot attend because of illness but do not meet the applicable refund conditions.

For paper-based TestDaF, you may switch to another session free of charge if the registration periods for both sessions are open at the same time. The change must be made in the Participant Portal before the deadline. Cancellation and session-change rules.

What should you do after successful registration?

Check your email and the Participant Portal regularly.

Information about identity-check time, the start of the test and the room is updated after the registration deadline.

Paper-based TestDaF

About ten days after the registration deadline, you can download the Zulassungsschreiben, or admission letter, from the Participant Portal.

You must:

• Print the admission letter.
• Sign it.
• Bring it on test day.
• Bring the same original identity document used for registration.

Digital TestDaF

The necessary information is provided through the Participant Portal. You do not have to print an admission letter as you do for the paper-based format.

After registering for Digital TestDaF, you also receive access to a free practice test in the Participant Portal to help you become familiar with the format. TestDaF dates and registration.

Key points to remember

• Choose the correct Digital TestDaF or paper-based TestDaF session.
• Compare the result date with your application deadline.
• Use your existing g.a.s.t. account if you have already used TestDaF, TestAS, onSET or DUO.
• Your name, date of birth and document number must be correct.
• Upload a recent, clear and unedited portrait photo.
• Bring the same original identity document declared during registration.
• The fee shown in the images is illustrative only.
• Check your email and Participant Portal regularly.
• For paper-based TestDaF, print, sign and bring the admission letter.
• Make corrections, cancellations or session changes before the registration deadline.

Official sources: TestDaF, registration FAQ and cancellation FAQ.

Related Articles

• What Is TestDaF?
• TestDaF Structure 2026
• TDN 3, TDN 4 and TDN 5 Explained
• TestDaF Writing
• TestDaF Speaking