TestDaF – Speaking (Mündlicher Ausdruck)
Oral Expression is the computer-based speaking section of the TestDaF exam. In seven tasks of increasing difficulty you respond to various situations. Here’s the structure, useful phrases and examples for each task.
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Key takeaways
- Oral Expression has 7 tasks and lasts around 35 minutes – computer-based.
- The tasks get harder: from getting information to taking a stance on abstract topics.
- For each task you have short preparation and speaking time.
Overview
Oral Expression is the fourth section of the TestDaF exam and is recorded on a computer. You don’t speak with an examiner but respond to given situations: you read and hear the task, then have short preparation time and speak into a microphone afterwards. The section lasts around 35 minutes.
There are seven tasks of increasing difficulty. They cover various speech acts from university life: getting information, reporting something to someone, describing a graphic, taking a stance in a discussion, weighing up alternatives and advising, forming hypotheses and taking a stance on an abstract topic.
The tasks correspond to different levels: the first are rather easy, the last demanding. What matters is the right speech act, a clear structure and free, fluent speaking. Fixed phrases per task type help you.
You speak freely and without a conversation partner into the microphone, with little preparation time. The biggest hurdle is quickly finding the right speech act and speaking in a structured way.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 – Get information | Getting information | Asking for information | 1 | 5 |
| Task 2 – Report & suggest | Reporting and making suggestions | Reporting & suggesting | 1 | 5 |
| Task 3 – Describe a graphic | Describing a graphic | Describing a graphic orally | 1 | 5 |
| Task 4 – Take a stance | Taking a stance in a discussion | Arguing | 1 | 5 |
| Task 5 – Weigh up & advise | Weighing up alternatives and advising | Weighing up & advising | 1 | 5 |
| Task 6 – Graphic & hypotheses | Describing a graphic and forming hypotheses | Describing & forming hypotheses | 1 | 5 |
| Task 7 – Take a stance (abstract) | Taking a stance on an abstract topic | Abstract argument | 1 | 5 |
Tips & strategy
Each task requires a specific act: ask, report, describe, discuss, advise, form hypotheses, take a stance. Recognize it immediately.
You have only short preparation time per task. Quickly note keywords and a structure.
There are fixed phrases for each task type. Learn a set so you speak confidently even under time pressure.
Even in the short speaking time: introduction, body, conclusion. Use structuring signals.
Speak until the time is up, but without rushing. Plan so that you fill the given time well.
Don’t read out your notes. Speak freely, coherently and in whole sentences.
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What TDN 4 means in Speaking
At TDN 4 you respond to the situations fluently and appropriately, structuring your answer and using suitable phrasing.
- 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.
Useful phrases
Learn a set of phrases for the various tasks:
- Asking (Task 1)
- Ich hätte eine Frage zu … / Können Sie mir sagen, ob …? / Wäre es möglich, …?
- Reporting (Task 2)
- Stell dir vor, … / Es ist so, dass … / Ich schlage vor, dass wir …
- Graphic (Tasks 3 & 6)
- Die Grafik zeigt … / Auffällig ist, dass … / Das könnte daran liegen, dass …
- Taking a stance (Tasks 4 & 7)
- Ich bin der Meinung, dass … / Einerseits … andererseits … / Ein Vorteil/Nachteil ist …
- Advising (Task 5)
- An deiner Stelle würde ich … / Du solltest bedenken, dass … / Ich würde dir raten, …
The 7 tasks at a glance
The tasks become progressively more demanding:
- Tasks 1–2
- getting information · reporting and making suggestions
- Tasks 3–4
- describing a graphic · taking a stance in a discussion
- Tasks 5–6
- weighing up alternatives and advising · describing a graphic and forming hypotheses
- Task 7
- taking a stance on an abstract topic and weighing up
1-week study plan
- Day1Learn the format
Read this guide and look at the official Modelltest: how do the seven tasks work?
- Day2Practice Tasks 1–2
Practice getting information and reporting with suggestions.
- Day3Task 3 – describe a graphic
Practice describing graphics orally with useful phrases.
- Day4Task 4 – discuss
Practice taking a stance in a discussion with arguments.
- Day5Practice Tasks 5–6
Practice weighing up and advising as well as forming hypotheses about a graphic.
- Day6Task 7 + full run
Practice taking a stance on abstract topics and do a complete speaking run under time.
- Day7Get feedback
Have your speaking graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores speaking automatically.
Are you ready?
- I quickly recognize the right speech act for each task.
- I can get information and report something to someone.
- I can describe a graphic orally.
- I can take a stance in a discussion and weigh up alternatives.
- I can form and justify hypotheses.
- I speak freely and fluently and fill the speaking time.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to reach TDN 4 in speaking?
At TDN 4 you respond to the situations fluently and appropriately, structuring your answer and using suitable phrasing. 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 is Oral Expression in the TestDaF structured?
It has seven tasks of increasing difficulty and is recorded by computer. You respond to given situations: read/hear, prepare briefly, speak into the microphone. The section lasts around 35 minutes.
Do I speak with an examiner?
No. Oral Expression is computer-based: you speak alone into the microphone, and your answers are recorded and graded later.
How much preparation time do I have?
Only short preparation time per task (from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the task). Use it for keywords and a structure.
How is Oral Expression scored in the TestDaF?
Like all TestDaF sections, speaking is graded in TDN levels. The seven tasks cover various levels; depending on your performance you reach TDN 3, 4 or 5. 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.
Which speech acts come up?
Getting information, reporting and making suggestions, describing a graphic, taking a stance in a discussion, weighing up alternatives and advising, forming hypotheses and taking a stance on an abstract topic.
What’s the best way to practice Oral Expression?
Practice all seven task types separately and under time pressure – ideally out loud and recorded. At Prepliq you practice speaking with a mock that scores your answers automatically – because the PDF answer key does not cover speaking.
Free practice exercises
Useful resources
Learn the most important TestDaF vocabulary interactively with flashcards.
Preview and download the official TestDaF practice test – with answers and study material.
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