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
Practice the same format you’ll see on exam day, get your score against official criteria, and see where you still need work.
Free to try · No account needed
Key takeaways
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.
| 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 |
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.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Free to try · No account needed
A TDN 5 reading performance means near-complete understanding of demanding scientific texts, including nuance and implication.
In the reading part you’ll meet typical TestDaF texts:
The texts revolve around higher education and science. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:
Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modelltest – without time pressure, just to understand the structure.
Practice quickly skimming short texts and matching statements.
Practice reading a longer article closely and solving multiple choice.
Practice deciding “yes / no / the text says nothing about this” on a scientific text.
Learn academic and specialist vocabulary that often appears in the texts.
Work through all three parts in 60 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
Look at every mistake: which information did you miss? Review your weakest part specifically.
A TDN 5 reading performance means near-complete understanding of demanding scientific texts, including nuance and implication. To reach TDN 5, aim for near-complete comprehension, nuanced argumentation and a wide, accurate range of language under time pressure.
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).
Reading lasts 60 minutes. This includes the time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
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 5 is the highest level and corresponds roughly to C1. It is accepted for all degree programs, including linguistically very demanding subjects.
It is a separate answer option. You choose it when the text neither confirms nor contradicts the statement – when the information is simply missing.
No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the TestDaF exam.
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.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
Free to try · No account needed