What Is the TestAS? The Complete Guide
By Nguyen Tan Tri
What Is TestAS? Complete and Updated Guide for 2026
TestAS, short for Test für Ausländische Studierende, is an academic aptitude test for international applicants who want to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Germany.
Unlike examinations that primarily test memorized knowledge, TestAS focuses on logical reasoning, information analysis, data processing, and problem-solving skills. It helps German universities compare applicants from different countries and education systems more objectively.
Depending on the university and degree program, a TestAS result may be used as:
- A mandatory admission requirement.
- A bonus criterion that improves an applicant's chances of admission.
- A tool for ranking applicants.
- Additional evidence for assessing suitability for a particular field of study.
There is no single nationwide pass or fail mark for TestAS. Each university decides whether to use TestAS, which test format it accepts, and what result applicants must achieve.
Applicants should therefore review the admission requirements of their chosen university and degree program carefully before registering for the test.
Who needs to take TestAS?
TestAS is primarily intended for international applicants who want to apply for a Bachelor's degree program at a German university.
You may need or benefit from taking TestAS if:
- Your university or degree program requires a TestAS result.
- TestAS forms part of the admission procedure.
- You want to strengthen your application for a restricted-admission program.
- The university requires additional evidence to assess your qualifications and academic aptitude.
- You want to evaluate your suitability for studying at a German university.
For Vietnamese applicants who do not yet hold a university degree and want to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Germany, TestAS may also form part of the APS procedure. The specific requirements depend on the applicant category. Applicants should consult the latest information from APS Vietnam and their chosen university.
TestAS structure
TestAS consists of two main components:
- Core Test/Core Module: Assesses fundamental cognitive abilities required for university study, including logical reasoning, data analysis, and problem-solving.
- Subject-Specific Module: Assesses the ability to understand, analyze, and apply information within the chosen field of study.
TestAS is currently offered in two formats: paper-based TestAS and digital TestAS.
| Criterion | Paper-based TestAS | Digital TestAS |
|---|---|---|
| Test format | Completed on paper at a test center | Completed on a computer at a test center |
| Core Test/Core Module | The Core Test consists of 4 task groups and lasts 110 minutes in total | The Core Module consists of 3 subtests with 20 items each; the total duration is approximately 90 minutes, including instructions |
| Subject-Specific Module | Choose 1 of 4 modules; depending on the module, it includes 2–3 task groups and lasts approximately 150 minutes | Choose 1 of 6 modules; it includes approximately 10–15 testlets with 4–8 questions each and lasts 90 minutes |
| Standard Score/TestAS Score | Standard Score from 70–130, reported separately for the Core Test and Subject-Specific Module | TestAS Score from 0–200 for the Core Module and 0–200 for the Subject-Specific Module; total score from 0–400 |
| Percentile Rank (Prozentrang) | Scale from 1–100, reported separately for the Core Test and Subject-Specific Module | Scale from 1–100, reported separately for the Core Module and Subject-Specific Module |
| Test language | German or English | German or English |
| Available modules | 4 main subject areas | 4 main subject areas plus the additional Life Sciences and Medicine modules |
Both formats assess general academic aptitude and subject-related reasoning skills. However, their question structures, test durations, and score scales differ.
Results from the two formats can be compared using an official conversion table. Nevertheless, each university decides how to use the results and how much weight to assign to each test component.
Task types in the Core Test and Core Module
Paper-based TestAS
The Core Test of the paper-based TestAS consists of four task groups:
- Solving Quantitative Problems: Assesses numerical reasoning and the ability to solve practical problems using basic arithmetic operations.
- Inferring Relations: Assesses the ability to identify logical relationships between words or concepts.
- Completing Patterns: Requires candidates to recognize visual structures and select the appropriate figure to complete a pattern.
- Continuing Numerical Series: Requires candidates to identify a numerical rule and determine the next number in a sequence.
Each task group has its own time limit. Candidates must therefore not only find the correct answer but also process the questions at an appropriate pace.
Digital TestAS
The Core Module of the digital TestAS consists of three subtests:
- Figure Sequences: Identifying changes in the position, color, or orientation of figures and continuing the sequence according to its logical rule.
- Mathematical Equations: Determining the values of unknown variables so that a system of equations satisfies all given conditions.
- Latin Squares: Completing a logical grid according to the rule that each symbol may appear only once in each row and column.
The Core Module primarily assesses logical reasoning, working memory, numerical processing, and the ability to recognize visual patterns.
Subject-Specific Modules
Candidates must select the module that corresponds to their intended degree program.
Both the paper-based and digital TestAS offer four main subject modules:
- Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social Sciences
- Engineering
- Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences
- Economics
The digital TestAS offers two additional modules:
- Life Sciences
- Medicine
Candidates should not select a module simply because its content appears easier. A university may require a specific module for the chosen degree program.
If the wrong module is selected, the TestAS result may not satisfy the university's admission requirements.
Should you take TestAS in German or English?
TestAS is offered in German and English. According to official information, the test is designed for candidates with language proficiency between A2 and B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
However, the test has relatively strict time limits. Candidates should choose the language in which they can understand the questions most quickly and accurately.
Before choosing the test language, consider:
- Whether the university requires a specific test language.
- Whether you understand academic terminology better in German or English.
- Which language allows you to focus on reasoning instead of translating the questions.
- Which language offers preparation materials suited to your current ability.
A TestAS result does not replace the language certificate required for university admission, such as TestDaF, DSH, IELTS, or TOEFL.
Understanding TestAS results
Standard Score of the paper-based TestAS
For the paper-based TestAS, the Core Test and Subject-Specific Module results are reported separately as a Standard Score, known in German as Standardwert, on a scale from 70–130.
The Standard Score is a standardized value that shows a candidate's performance relative to the comparison group. A score of 100 lies in the middle of the scale.
TestAS Score of the digital TestAS
For the digital TestAS:
- The Core Module is scored from 0–200.
- The Subject-Specific Module is scored from 0–200.
- The combined total score ranges from 0–400.
According to the official interpretation, scores from 50–150 represent the average range, centered at 100. Scores above 150 indicate above-average performance, while 200 is the highest possible score.
Percentile Rank (Prozentrang)
Both TestAS formats use a Percentile Rank, known in German as Prozentrang.
This value ranges from 1–100 and shows a candidate's relative position compared with other participants.
For example, a Percentile Rank of 70 means that the candidate performed as well as or better than approximately 70 percent of the comparison group. About 30 percent achieved a higher result.
Percentile Rank is not the same as the percentage of questions answered correctly. A Percentile Rank of 70 therefore does not mean that the candidate answered 70 percent of the questions correctly.
TestAS provides an official conversion table for comparing the Standard Score of the paper-based TestAS with the TestAS Score of the digital TestAS. However, each university decides how to interpret and use the results.
What is considered a good TestAS score?
There is no single TestAS result that is considered good for every university and degree program.
Depending on its admission policy, a university may:
- Consider the Core Test or Core Module and Subject-Specific Module results separately.
- Consider the combined score of both components.
- Give particular importance to the Percentile Rank.
- Convert the TestAS result into bonus points.
- Use TestAS to rank applicants.
- Require TestAS only for certain degree programs.
A result is considered sufficient or good only if it meets the specific requirements of the chosen university and degree program. Candidates should therefore review the relevant admission regulations before setting a target score.
How long is a TestAS result valid?
The TestAS certificate does not expire.
Digital TestAS results are generally published after approximately three weeks. Paper-based TestAS results are usually published after approximately four weeks. Candidates can then download and print the certificate from their personal test taker portal.
Candidates who take TestAS more than once cannot combine the Core Test or Core Module result from one test date with the Subject-Specific Module result from another. Each certificate represents one complete and independent test result.
Depending on the application procedure, candidates may upload the certificate directly to the university, submit it through uni-assist, or provide their personal participant number so that the result can be verified.
Important points before registering
- There is no nationwide TestAS pass mark in Germany.
- Not all German universities require TestAS.
- Each university and degree program may use the results differently.
- Paper-based and digital TestAS differ in structure and score scale.
- Candidates must select the correct format, language, and module according to the university's requirements.
- A TestAS result does not replace a language certificate.
- The TestAS certificate does not expire.
- Results from different test dates cannot be combined on one certificate.
- The official admission information provided by the university and degree program is always decisive.
Official source: TestAS.
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