TestDaF Speaking (MA): 7 Task Types and Answer Frames
Last updated: July 2026 · 10 min read
The Mündlicher Ausdruck (MA) section takes about 35 minutes and is completed at a computer: you hear and read each task, then record your answer into a microphone. There is no live examiner — which makes timing and task familiarity half the battle. This guide covers all 7 task types with examples and answer frames.
The 7 Tasks at a Glance
Tasks are ordered by difficulty: Aufgabe 1 is the easiest, Aufgaben 4 and 6 are the most demanding. Each task gives you preparation time followed by speaking time.
Aufgabe 1: Requesting information
Target level: below TDN 3 · ~30s prep · ~30s speaking
An everyday phone situation — e.g. calling a language school to ask about a course.
Frame: Greeting + introducing yourself + 2-3 clear questions: „Guten Tag, ich interessiere mich für… Könnten Sie mir sagen, …?“
Aufgabe 2: Reporting about your country
Target level: TDN 3 · ~1 min prep · ~1 min speaking
You tell a conversation partner about a situation or experience in your home country.
Frame: Chronological structure plus a personal example: „Bei uns ist es üblich, dass…“
Aufgabe 3: Describing a graph
Target level: TDN 4 · ~1 min prep · ~1.5 min speaking
You summarise a chart orally in a seminar setting — the SA graph language applies here too.
Frame: Title + source + main trend + striking value: „Die Grafik zeigt… Auffällig ist, dass…“
Aufgabe 4: Taking a position (Stellung nehmen)
Target level: TDN 5 · ~3 min prep · ~2 min speaking
The hardest MA task: weigh pros and cons of a controversial topic and justify your view.
Frame: Clear position + 2 arguments + counter-argument + conclusion. „Einerseits…, andererseits… Insgesamt bin ich der Meinung, dass…“
Aufgabe 5: Giving advice
Target level: TDN 4 · ~1.5 min prep · ~1.5 min speaking
A friend faces a dilemma; you weigh both options and give a justified recommendation.
Frame: „An deiner Stelle würde ich… Dafür spricht, dass… Allerdings solltest du bedenken, dass…“
Aufgabe 6: Forming hypotheses
Target level: TDN 5 · ~2.5 min prep · ~2 min speaking
You speculate about the causes and future development of a trend shown in a graph.
Frame: Use Konjunktiv and probability language: „Ein Grund dafür könnte sein, dass… Vermutlich wird sich dieser Trend fortsetzen.“
Aufgabe 7: Weighing alternatives
Target level: TDN 3–4 · ~1.5 min prep · ~1.5 min speaking
You argue for one of two options — e.g. choosing between two event proposals.
Frame: Short comparison + clear decision: „Beide Möglichkeiten haben Vorteile, aber ich würde … vorziehen, weil…“
Sample Task: Aufgabe 4 (Taking a Position)
In a seminar the topic "recording lectures and publishing them online" is being discussed. You are asked to state your opinion and weigh advantages and disadvantages.
Answer skeleton (~2 minutes):
- Introduce topic and state position (15s)
- Argument in favour + example (30s)
- Argument against + example (30s)
- Weighing and justified conclusion (30s)
5 Strategies for MA
- Note keywords during prep time — there is no time for full sentences.
- Never stay silent: an empty recording is the worst outcome. Bridge with "Das ist eine interessante Frage…" if you get stuck.
- Don't chase the clock: a structured 80-second answer scores better than a rambling 2 minutes.
- Record yourself and listen back — pronunciation issues and filler sounds only become visible this way.
- Automate the task types: with a memorised frame for each of the 7 types, you only think about content in the exam.
Practise with a Realistic Exam Simulation
Zertifly's MA module simulates all 7 task types with real exam timing and a recording mechanism. Your recording is analysed by AI for task achievement, expression and grammar.
Conclusion
MA is the section most candidates fear and the one that improves fastest: the task types are fixed, the answer frames are learnable, and regular spoken practice produces visible gains within weeks. Two simulated tasks a day plus a feedback loop is the most efficient path to TDN 4.
