A certificate issued by the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) confirming the authenticity of an applicant's academic credentials, required by some universities for applicants from specific countries (e.g. China, India, Vietnam), separate from and in addition to TestAS.
The entrance exam for a Studienkolleg, set by each Kolleg. All applicants take a German test, typically at about B1+ to B2 level, and T, M and W applicants usually also take a math test on school algebra and geometry. In Bayern, one Studienkolleg in München serves all universities; in Hessen, the four Kollegs test at the same time but set their own content.
A German-language proficiency format used in Studienkolleg entrance exams: a passage with the second half of every second word deleted, which you fill in.
The mandatory first part of Digital TestAS, taken by every applicant regardless of subject: Figure Sequences, Mathematical Equations, and Latin Squares, 20 items each.
The current, primary format of TestAS (since ~2024), taken on a computer at a test centre. Consists of a Core Module (3 subtests, 20 items / 25 min each) and one Subject Module (90 min, 10-15 testlets).
The final exam at the end of the Studienkolleg course, after about two semesters. Passing it gives you the university entrance qualification for the degree programmes that match your course track.
A Core Module subtest: four 4×4 grids show figures that move, rotate or change colour by fixed rules; you pick the next two grids, each from three options.
The Studienkolleg course track for humanities programmes and German studies. The entrance exam usually has no math: mostly German, and at some Kollegs history and politics (Hannover) or English (Halle).
The Studienkolleg course track for medicine/biology fields: largely the T-Kurs math syllabus minus its hardest ~20% (typically no vectors or heavy integration), plus statistics.
A Paper-based TestAS Core Test subtest (called 'Continuing Numerical Series'): find the next number in a sequence governed by an arithmetic, geometric, or other rule.
The older, pencil-and-paper format of TestAS, still offered in 2026 (e.g. April and October) but being phased out in favor of Digital TestAS. Has a differently-structured Core Test (4 subtests, 110 minutes).
A one-year preparatory college for applicants whose school qualification isn't directly recognized as equivalent to the German Abitur. You get in by passing its Aufnahmeprüfung (entrance exam), and the course ends with the Feststellungsprüfung.
The second, discipline-specific part of TestAS, one of six: Engineering, MINT (Maths/CS/Natural Sciences), Economics, Humanities, Life Sciences, or Medicine. Testlet-based: a shared stimulus followed by several applied questions.
The score on a Digital TestAS certificate: 0 to 200 for each module (Core and Subject), plus an overall score from 0 to 400, with 100 as the middle of each module scale. Scores from 50 to 150 count as the average range, and only the top 2% reach 200. The older paper-based TestAS used a Standard Score from 70 to 130; g.a.s.t. publishes an official chart converting between the two. Every result also comes with a percentile rank (1 to 100) showing how you did compared with other test takers.
A service many German universities use to pre-check and process international applications before they reach the university itself. Separate from TestAS or Studienkolleg. Some universities require it, some don't.
The Studienkolleg course track for business, economics and social science programmes. The entrance exam usually has German plus a basic math test; Studienkolleg München uses the same math test as for the M-Kurs.