For international students, professionals pursuing a career, or individuals seeking citizenship or a residence permit in Germany, proof of specific German language skills is essential. To do this, a suitable language certificate must be selected, and the corresponding exam taken. The most well-known tests include Telc, the Goethe Certificate, and TestDaF. In this article, we explain their specific features and exam formats.
Telc
Telc (The European Language Certificates) is an internationally standardized system for assessing proficiency in 10 European languages, including German. Its exam structure is similar to that of the Goethe Institute. Assessment is based on the six-level CEFR system (from A1 to C2).
Telc certificates are categorized by age group and purpose, for example:
- A1 Junior – for children up to 12 years old;
- A2 School – for teenagers aged 12 to 16;
- B1 School – for school pupils and students;
- A1 for immigrants – for marriage to German citizens and family reunification;
- A2+ Work – for unskilled workers;
- B2+ Work – for professionals;
- German Test for Immigrants A2–B1 – naturalization test for migrants;
- B2 Medical Entrance Exam – for medical professionals;
- B2-C1 Medicine – for doctors;
- C1 University – for academic staff.
Level C2 corresponds to native-level proficiency in German. The exam consists of oral and written components. Skills tested include writing, reading, and speaking. The exam is conducted exclusively in person at certified Telc centers. The duration varies depending on the level being tested.
TestDaF
TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognized exam developed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It is primarily intended for university applicants and covers proficiency levels B2 and C1. The results are accepted by all German universities. The exam is divided into four parts and evaluated on three levels: TDN 3 (lowest) to TDN 5 (highest). To qualify for most university programs without additional language testing, applicants must achieve at least TDN 4 in all sections.
The exam is offered six times a year worldwide and can be taken at over 500 test centers in 95 countries. The TestDaF certificate can also be presented to employers when German proficiency is required for employment.
Obtaining a Telc Certificate at IISC
How can you obtain a Telc certificate at IISC? Since 2019, IISC has been a certified Telc examination center. Exams taken there are internationally recognized. If you are confident in your language skills, you can take the B1, B2, or Telc C1 University exam without attending a preparatory course. Current exam dates, registration deadlines, and fees are available on our website. The exams are held at our center in Braunschweig.
To prepare for the Telc C1 University exam, IISC offers a two-week preparatory course. In this course, you will work intensively with a team of qualified instructors who will specifically prepare you for the exam requirements. The lessons will help you systematically train all exam components – reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral communication – and bring your language skills up to the required level. Structured preparation with a teacher significantly increases your chances of passing the exam successfully. For the B1 exam, we offer a one-day preparation course where you will become familiar with the exam structure and receive valuable tips from our experienced instructor.