TestDaF TDN 4 – Reading (Leseverstehen)
Reading is part of the TestDaF exam. Here you’ll find the structure, points, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the three parts.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- Reading has 3 parts with 30 tasks in total.
- You solve a matching task (Part 1), multiple choice (Part 2) and yes/no/not in text (Part 3).
- You have 60 minutes for Reading (including transfer time).
Overview
Reading is one of the four modules of the TestDaF exam – an academic exam for admission to study at a German university. You read three texts from a higher-education and scientific context and solve 30 tasks. You have 60 minutes for it (including the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet).
At its core it’s about different reading styles at an academic level: fast, selective reading of several short texts (Part 1), precise detail comprehension of a journalistic text (Part 2) and understanding a scientific text with demanding language (Part 3).
The three parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you match statements or situations to short texts, in Part 2 you solve multiple choice on a longer text, in Part 3 you decide for each statement “yes”, “no” or “the text says nothing about this”. Practice them separately.
The texts come from an academic context and are linguistically demanding. The biggest hurdle is the vocabulary, the pace and the third answer option “the text says nothing about this” in Part 3.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Matching | Matching | Selective reading | 10 | 10 |
| Part 2 – Multiple Choice | Multiple choice | Detail comprehension | 10 | 10 |
| Part 3 – yes/no/nothing | Yes/No/Not in text | Understanding scientific texts | 10 | 10 |
Tips & strategy
Read the tasks first. That way you know what to look for and read purposefully – especially important for the long texts in Parts 2 and 3.
You must grasp the short texts quickly. Look specifically for the information that fits the respective statement.
“The text says nothing about this” is a real option. Choose it when the information is genuinely missing – not just when you can’t find it.
The answer is almost never literal in the text. Look for the statement in different words, not the same word.
You have 60 minutes for three parts and the transfer. Don’t cling too long to one task.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Plan the last minutes for transferring.
What TDN 4 means in Reading
A TDN 4 reading performance means you confidently understand demanding journalistic and scientific texts, including the “not in the text” distinction in Part 3.
- CEFR level
- B2.2–C1.1
- To reach TDN 4
- To reach TDN 4, handle the scientific Part 3 in reading and listening confidently and write and speak in a clearly structured, well-argued way – not just intelligibly.
Common text types
In the reading part you’ll meet typical TestDaF texts:
- Short texts about studying
- announcements, notices, student life (Part 1).
- Journalistic text
- a longer article from a newspaper or magazine (Part 2).
- Scientific text
- a specialist text from a scientific source (Part 3).
Common topics
The texts revolve around higher education and science. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:
- Studies & university
- study organization, research, teaching
- Science & technology
- studies, experiments, developments
- Society & environment
- current debates, sustainability
- Economy & culture
- the working world, education, media
1-week study plan
- Day1Learn the format
Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modelltest – without time pressure, just to understand the structure.
- Day2Part 1 – matching
Practice quickly skimming short texts and matching statements.
- Day3Part 2 – multiple choice
Practice reading a longer article closely and solving multiple choice.
- Day4Part 3 – yes/no/nothing
Practice deciding “yes / no / the text says nothing about this” on a scientific text.
- Day5Build vocabulary
Learn academic and specialist vocabulary that often appears in the texts.
- Day6Full reading part under time
Work through all three parts in 60 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
- Day7Analyze your mistakes
Look at every mistake: which information did you miss? Review your weakest part specifically.
Are you ready?
- I skim short texts quickly and match statements.
- I solve multiple choice on a longer journalistic text.
- I decide “yes / no / the text says nothing about this” on a specialist text.
- I recognize paraphrases – the same statement in different words.
- I understand academic vocabulary in context.
- I can finish all 30 tasks in 60 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to reach TDN 4 in reading?
A TDN 4 reading performance means you confidently understand demanding journalistic and scientific texts, including the “not in the text” distinction in Part 3. To reach TDN 4, handle the scientific Part 3 in reading and listening confidently and write and speak in a clearly structured, well-argued way – not just intelligibly.
How many parts does TestDaF reading have?
Three parts with 30 tasks in total: Part 1 (matching short texts), Part 2 (multiple choice on a longer text) and Part 3 (yes/no/the text says nothing about this on a scientific text).
How much time do I have for reading?
Reading lasts 60 minutes. This includes the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
How is reading scored in TDN 4?
The TestDaF is not graded as “pass/fail” but in TDN levels. Depending on your score you reach TDN 3, 4 or 5 in reading. TDN 4 lies between B2 and C1 and is the level most universities require in all four parts. With TDN 4 four times over you are usually fully eligible to study.
What does “the text says nothing about this” mean in Part 3?
It is a separate answer option. You choose it when the text neither confirms nor contradicts the statement – when the information is simply missing.
Can I use a dictionary in reading?
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the TestDaF exam.
What’s the best way to practice reading?
Read demanding German texts (articles, science texts) regularly and practice academic vocabulary. At Prepliq you practice reading with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring; the interactive word list helps you lock in your vocabulary.