TestDaF Sample Questions: All 4 Sections on One Page
Last updated: July 2026 · 7 min read
Searching for "TestDaF past papers"? One important fact first: the TestDaF Institute does not publish past exam questions; preparation is based on the official Modellsatz (sample set) and format-faithful practice sets. This page summarises the question types of all four sections and links to detailed guides for each.
Exam Structure: 4 Sections, ~3h 10min
| Section | Time | Content | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesen (LV) | 60 min | 3 texts, 30 items | LV examples → |
| Hören (HV) | ~40 min | 3 recordings, 25 items | HV examples → |
| Schreiben (SA) | 60 min | Graph + argumentation | SA example + model answer → |
| Sprechen (MA) | ~35 min | 7 speaking tasks | MA tasks → |
One Sample Question Logic per Section
LV — Matching
"Jemand sucht einen Kurs, der auch am Wochenende stattfindet." → find the course offering weekend sessions among 8 descriptions. Trap: paraphrases like "außerhalb der Woche" instead of "samstags".
HV — Richtig/Falsch
"Die Studentin hat ihr Praktikum im Ausland gemacht." → if the recording says "eigentlich wollte ich ins Ausland, aber…", the answer is Falsch. Intention vs. actual outcome is HV's classic trap.
SA — Graph task
Describe a chart such as "share of working students in Germany (2015–2025)", then argue whether students should work. Scored on task completion + language + coherence.
MA — Taking a position
Give a structured 2-minute spoken answer to "Should recorded lectures be published online?": position → pro → contra → conclusion.
Where to Practise
- Official Modellsatz: free download at testdaf.de — the first stop for learning the format.
- Timed digital practice: what a paper Modellsatz can't give you is real time pressure and instant feedback. Zertifly's sets are built at exam difficulty and scored by AI.
Try the Exam Format for Free
Zertifly offers exam-format exercises for all four sections. Start with the free plan and see the AI feedback on LV, HV, SA and MA questions.
Conclusion
Instead of hunting for "past papers", invest in format mastery: TestDaF uses the same task types in every sitting. A candidate who has internalised the question logic of all four sections is prepared no matter what the content is.
