Compare Goethe, TestDaF, DSH, telc and ÖSD by level
Here is a comparison of the German language exams Goethe, TestDaF, DSH, telc, and ÖSD by levels:
| Exam | Levels Covered | Level Description and Alignment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe | A1 to C2 (CEFR levels) | A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Mastery), with clear CEFR alignment. | Covers listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Widely recognized. |
| TestDaF | Three levels: TDN 3, TDN 4, TDN 5 | TDN 3 = B2.1 to B2.2, TDN 4 = B2.3 to C1.1, TDN 5 = C1.2 to C1.3 | Four parts graded individually. TDN 4 required for unrestricted university admission in Germany. |
| DSH | DSH-1, DSH-2, DSH-3 | DSH-1 = B2, DSH-2 = C1, DSH-3 = C2 approx. | Requires passing both written and oral exams. Level needed depends on university and program. |
| telc | A1 to C1 (including C1 Hochschule) | CEFR aligned levels with point system; 60% needed to pass | Written and oral parts; partial credit possible if retaken within 12 months. |
| ÖSD | A1 to C2 (CEFR levels) | CEFR aligned with modular exams (reading, writing, listening, speaking) | Modules can be taken individually or combined; passing criteria vary by level. |
The short answer
Goethe and ÖSD cover the broadest range, from complete beginner A1 to advanced C2. telc stops at C1 in its standard exams, while TestDaF and DSH are not full scale proficiency ladders but university-oriented exams centered on the B2-to-C2 range.
That difference matters because the “best” exam depends on the goal. A learner who wants a general certificate at a clearly named CEFR level often chooses Goethe or ÖSD. A learner aiming for a German university usually looks first at TestDaF or DSH. telc sits between those two worlds: it offers general German certificates and, with telc C1 Hochschule, a higher-education option.
What the levels mean in practice
CEFR levels are not just labels; they describe what can usually be done with the language.
- A1-A2: simple everyday interactions, introductions, directions, shopping, and very short exchanges
- B1-B2: handling common topics, explaining opinions, describing experiences, and managing more detailed conversations
- C1-C2: fluent, nuanced, and flexible language use, including academic and professional contexts
For speaking-focused learners, the practical difference between B2 and C1 is often the jump from “can explain and interact” to “can argue, summarize, and respond naturally under pressure.” Exams that include oral sections tend to reward this ability directly, which is why regular conversation practice is especially useful before test day.
Goethe: the broadest single-brand ladder
Goethe-Institut exams run from A1 to C2, making them one of the clearest full-range options for learners who want a certificate at almost any stage. The exams are strongly tied to CEFR descriptors, so a Goethe A2 certificate means something very specific compared with a Goethe C1 certificate.
The format usually covers listening, reading, writing, and speaking, though the exact structure depends on level. Lower levels are shorter and more concrete; higher levels require longer texts, more structured writing, and more spontaneous speaking. Goethe certificates are widely recognized and often used for jobs, residency, and academic or personal documentation.
TestDaF: university German with three result bands
TestDaF is built for academic German, not for the full beginner-to-advanced spectrum. It reports results in TDN 3, TDN 4, and TDN 5, rather than CEFR levels on the certificate itself, though the bands map roughly like this:
- TDN 3: around B2.1 to B2.2
- TDN 4: around B2.3 to C1.1
- TDN 5: around C1.2 to C1.3
Each of the four parts is graded separately, which is a major practical difference. A learner may perform very well in reading but less well in writing, and the final profile reflects that. For university admission, TDN 4 is the standard target for unrestricted admission at many institutions, although requirements vary by university and degree program.
TestDaF is often chosen by students who already have solid general German and need proof that they can cope with lectures, academic articles, and written assignments.
DSH: the German university exam with local variation
DSH comes in three levels: DSH-1, DSH-2, and DSH-3. In broad CEFR terms, these are often treated as approximately B2, C1, and C2, respectively. The exact threshold can vary by university, but the rough interpretation is consistent: DSH-1 is the lower passing band, DSH-2 is the typical university-entry target, and DSH-3 signals very strong academic German.
Unlike TestDaF, DSH is administered by individual universities, and the format can differ somewhat from institution to institution. It normally includes both written and oral components, and both matter. Because of that, DSH is especially sensitive to real-time comprehension and spoken responsiveness, not just to test-taking strategy.
For applicants to German-taught programs, DSH often appears at the final stage of preparation, after years of general learning have already built the needed vocabulary and grammar.
telc: flexible, practical, and level-specific
telc offers certificates from A1 to C1, including C1 Hochschule for academic contexts. Like Goethe and ÖSD, it is CEFR-aligned, but its scoring approach is more explicitly point-based. A common passing threshold is 60%, which means that performance can be measured in a fairly transparent way across skills.
The exam usually includes written and oral parts, and in some cases partial credit or module-specific retakes can soften the pressure of a single bad day. That flexibility makes telc attractive to learners who want a practical certification path rather than a single all-or-nothing event.
telc’s range is especially useful for people who need a certificate for work, integration, or study but do not need the full A1-to-C2 ladder. C1 Hochschule is the most relevant telc option for university-bound learners.
ÖSD: modular and broad, with Austrian recognition
ÖSD offers levels from A1 to C2 and is also aligned with the CEFR. One of its most practical features is the modular structure: reading, writing, listening, and speaking can often be taken separately or combined, depending on the exam version.
That modularity can make ÖSD easier to plan around, especially for learners who are stronger in some skills than others. A candidate with solid reading and listening but weaker speaking may prefer a format where modules are clearly separated. Passing criteria vary by level, so the exact requirements should always be checked for the specific exam version.
ÖSD is especially well known in Austria, but it is also accepted in many other contexts where a recognized German certificate is needed.
Which exam matches which goal
A simple way to compare them is by purpose:
- General German from beginner to advanced: Goethe or ÖSD
- University admission in Germany: TestDaF or DSH
- Practical work or integration certificate: telc
- Academic German with flexible module handling: ÖSD or telc C1 Hochschule
- The widest CEFR span in one brand: Goethe or ÖSD
For learners who are still building speaking confidence, the exam format matters as much as the official level. Tests with oral sections reward the ability to react quickly, use common collocations, and sustain a short conversation without long pauses. That is one reason active speaking practice is more efficient than passive study alone when the goal is a real exam result.
Common mistakes when comparing these exams
One frequent mistake is assuming that all C1 certificates are interchangeable. They are not. A university may accept one exam and not another, or may require a specific score distribution rather than just a passing grade.
Another mistake is reading the level labels too literally. A B2 on one exam may feel harder or easier than a B2 on another because the task design differs. Academic exams, especially TestDaF and DSH, can feel more demanding than general proficiency exams at the same approximate level because they assume vocabulary for lectures, arguments, and formal writing.
A third mistake is ignoring format. Modular exams can be easier to plan around, while full-profile exams test stamina and consistency across all skills. A candidate who only prepares reading and grammar may still struggle if the speaking section requires spontaneous answers under time pressure.
Quick comparison at a glance
- Goethe: A1-C2, strong CEFR alignment, broad recognition
- TestDaF: TDN 3-5, academic focus, university admission use
- DSH: DSH-1 to DSH-3, university-based, strong academic emphasis
- telc: A1-C1, practical and flexible, includes C1 Hochschule
- ÖSD: A1-C2, modular and CEFR-aligned, broad range
This comparison covers their level ranges and key exam features aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9