--- title: "TestDaF TDN 5 Reading: Exercises, Format & Tips" description: "Reading (Leseverstehen) in the TestDaF (TDN 5, C1): all 3 parts explained – matching, multiple choice and yes/no/not in text. Format, points, strategy and exercises." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading.md" locale: "en" provider: "TestDaF" level: "TDN 5" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/testdaf-deutsch-tdn5/leseverstehen.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/testdaf-allemand-tdn5/comprehension-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/testdaf-tedesco-tdn5/lettura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/testdaf-aleman-tdn5/lectura.md" --- # TestDaF TDN 5 – Reading (Leseverstehen) > Reading (Leseverstehen) in the TestDaF (TDN 5, C1): all 3 parts explained – matching, multiple choice and yes/no/not in text. Format, points, strategy and exercises. ## 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). 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. - Parts: 3 - Tasks: 30 - Points: 30 - Time: 60 min - Difficulty: very hard (5/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Matching](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading/part-1) — Matching · Selective reading · 10 Tasks · 10 Points. In Part 1 you read several short texts and match statements or situations to the right text. Here’s how to find the right match quickly. - [Part 2 – Multiple Choice](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading/part-2) — Multiple choice · Detail comprehension · 10 Tasks · 10 Points. In Part 2 you read a longer journalistic text and answer multiple-choice questions. Here’s how to find the right option. - [Part 3 – yes/no/nothing](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading/part-3) — Yes/No/Not in text · Understanding scientific texts · 10 Tasks · 10 Points. In Part 3 you read a scientific text and decide for each statement between “yes”, “no” and “the text says nothing about this”. Here’s how to handle the third option. ## Tips & strategy - **Task first, then read purposefully:** 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. - **In Part 1, skim quickly:** You must grasp the short texts quickly. Look specifically for the information that fits the respective statement. - **In Part 3, take the third option seriously:** “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. - **Watch for paraphrases:** The answer is almost never literal in the text. Look for the statement in different words, not the same word. - **Budget time across three parts:** You have 60 minutes for three parts and the transfer. Don’t cling too long to one task. - **Transfer to the answer sheet in time:** Only the answer sheet is graded. Plan the last minutes for transferring. ## What TDN 5 means in Reading A TDN 5 reading performance means near-complete understanding of demanding scientific texts, including nuance and implication. - **CEFR level** — C1 - **To reach TDN 5** — To reach TDN 5, aim for near-complete comprehension, nuanced argumentation and a wide, accurate range of language under time pressure. ## 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 ## Free practice exercises - [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/) — Demanding articles and science features – ideal for academic reading practice. - [Spektrum der Wissenschaft](https://www.spektrum.de/) — Popular-science texts with high information density for TestDaF reading. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and do a first reading practice test with the official Modelltest – without time pressure, just to understand the structure. - Day 2 – **Part 1 – matching:** Practice quickly skimming short texts and matching statements. - Day 3 – **Part 2 – multiple choice:** Practice reading a longer article closely and solving multiple choice. - Day 4 – **Part 3 – yes/no/nothing:** Practice deciding “yes / no / the text says nothing about this” on a scientific text. - Day 5 – **Build vocabulary:** Learn academic and specialist vocabulary that often appears in the texts. - Day 6 – **Full reading part under time:** Work through all three parts in 60 minutes and transfer your answers to an answer sheet. - Day 7 – **Analyze 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 5 in reading? 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. ### 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 5? 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. ### 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. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5?action=start§ionId=Reading%20Comprehension) ## Other exam parts - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/listening) - [Schreiben](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/writing) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/speaking) [TestDaF TDN 5 – Reading (Leseverstehen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/testdaf-german-tdn5/reading)