In order to enter a German university, you need to have a DSH certificate of at least second level. This means that you need to gain an average of more than 67%. But for the successful passing of the test, it is not enough to know the German language. You also need to know the structure of the exam.
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang consists of 4 parts: Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen, Textproduktion, Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen (Grammatik) and Mündliche Prüfung stands separately. Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen has the smallest part in the overall mark for the exam, but this does not mean that it can be failed.
Preparation methodology
Leseverstehen
As much as it sounds like a captain's, but you need to read. Moreover, the most diverse literature. For the exam, you will be allowed to use a German-German dictionary (explanatory dictionary, dictionary of synonyms, etc.). Therefore, it is worth using it when reading, and not the translator. This part of the test is issued together with the Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen. I would advise you to execute the structures first (without spending more than 30 minutes on them), and only then start reading. The part with synonyms should be done after you really understand the whole text. And remember - the more you write, the more mistakes you make in the test.
Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen
Everything is simple here. You either know the grammar of the German language or you don't. You will need to paraphrase about 10 sentences using the words already mentioned. And there will also be a small paragraph of text that will need to be rewritten using Konjunktiv I.
Hörverstehen
I advise you to listen to podcasts, watch movies, translate songs. And also practice dictation. In one task of this part of the exam, you need to write almost completely a medium-sized paragraph of text. You should not fantasize at all, you need to write only what you have heard. The text will be read 2 times, after the first reading they will be asked questions. Write down everything about the questions and nothing else. But keep in mind that in the text, the answers may not be in the order in which the questions are asked.
Textproduktion
This is the easiest part of the exam. All you have to do is describe the graph and answer a couple of questions about the graph topic. There is a set of phrases to describe the graph, using which you can quickly type the required number of words. These phrases are found in almost every DSH preparation textbook. Answering questions, the main thing is not to write complete nonsense, but only extremely logical answers to questions.
Mündliche Prüfung
Walk and have a dialogue with an imaginary friend. And be responsible for it. Don't be afraid to sound crazy. Speak as much as possible and on a wide variety of topics. You will be offered a graph, picture or text, and they will talk to you about this topic. They may even begin to have a conversation about life. Don't be afraid or worried, just talk like you would with friends. But pay attention to your grammar as you speak. Verb position, correct tense, etc. Use complex constructs more often. This will show that you know the language.
Hallo zusammen! / Hello everyone!
My today's review is about the language exam, the successful completion of which is the key to admission to a German university, namely the "great and terrible" DSH.
The DSH exam (Die Deutsche Sprachprüfung fur den Hochschulzugang) is taken to confirm the level of German language proficiency if you plan to study at a university in Germany. The exam is taken on the territory of Germany at a German university.
When I first heard about this exam and got acquainted with its structure and tasks, my hair on my head just moved: describing graphs using scientific "words and expressions", tasks for comprehending an oral presentation by ear ... All this inspired me with awe and the thought that THIS is definitely too tough for me.
PREPARATION
However, when I started taking intensive German courses, which also aim to prepare for the DSH, my doubts disappeared somewhat. On the C1 (advanced level) course, we mostly did nothing but practice every day to do the trial parts of the exam and analyze all sorts of their options.
TIP # 1: Intensive DSH preparation courses are perhaps the best way to properly prepare for the format and get the most complete understanding of what to expect on the exam.
CHOICE OF UNIVERSITY
I originally planned to take DSH at the university where I wanted to enter, that is, at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Essen), since I had official admission to language courses from this institution, but I did not know at all that it was possible to apply for passing the exam to other universities that accept the so-called externs (Externe), that is, people who want to pass the DSH, but do not have admission to this university.
TIP # 2: if you do not have official admission to the university in which you want to study, you can find another higher institution that allows external students to take the exam only if they have a C1 (and in some cases, B2) language certificate.
In the end, of course, I got a place in Essen, but due to the fact that I found out about the aforementioned opportunity too late, I lost a month and a half. In what sense did you lose? Lack of practice in the period between courses and the exam, it seems to me, does not affect the results in the best way.
TIP # 3: as our teacher correctly noted during the courses, it is better to take the exam IMMEDIATELY after the end of the course, or even DURING, in the heat of the heat, so to speak.
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THE EXAM
If you think that getting a place on DSH is very easy, then I hasten to reassure you. You are very lucky if you are already the proud owner of one of three official documents: Zulassungsbescheid(decision on admission to study), Studienbescheinigung(certificate of enrollment) or Zugangsbescheides zum Sprachkurs(admission to language courses) for the current semester... In this case, there is a 99% guarantee that you will get a place at the university that issued these documents to you.
If you only have a language certificate in your hands and you are frantically looking for a university that accepts external students, then you need to know one important thing. A large number of such universities select applicants for the exam by random selection or, as the Germans say, Losverfahren. Of course, it does not matter at all what grades are in your language certificate. There are too many people willing to pass this exam, and universities are forced to take such "fair" measures.
TIP # 4: take care IN ADVANCE about finding SEVERAL universities where you could pass the exam.
STRUCTURE AND TIME OF THE EXAM
So, the DSH exam consists of two parts: written and oral.
Written part includes:
- Hörverstehen (listening)
- Leseverstehen + Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen (reading and grammar)
- Textproduktion (essay)
I give the order of execution and the time for each section.
In part Hörverstehen the lecturer reads the text twice, to which you need to subsequently complete the tasks. The first time you listen, you need to make notes. You can get acquainted with the tasks ONLY after the first listening and this is assigned to 10 minutes... After that, the text is read again and then you have 40 minutes to complete all tasks.
On Leseverstehen you will be given a text with tasks, which are assigned to 60 minutes, that is approximately 15 minutes directly for reading and 45 minutes to complete assignments.
Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen(grammatical part) imply the completion of tasks during 30 minutes.
Final section Textproduktion, implying writing an essay on the proposed topic, is 70 minutes.
Concerning oral part, then only those who have passed the written part at the minimum level of DSH-1 (399-466 points) and higher (DSH-2 with 467-573 points and DSH-3 with 574-700 points) are allowed to it.
The oral part consists of preparation for the answer, which is allocated 20 minutes, and the actual answer, which includes:
- A few words about yourself and your chosen specialty.
- A short report no more than 5 minutes long on a chosen topic.
- Conversation with examiners in the form of answers to their questions lasting no more than 10 minutes.
WRITING PART
After paying for the exam, I received an e-mail with all the necessary information (date, time, place, rules for the exam, its structure, schedule, etc.).
So, the written part of the DSH exam at the DUE University in Essen took place on June 10 in a brand new lecture hall.
The candidates were allowed into the building an hour and a half before the exam, selecting five people by the first letter of their last name (for example, five people with the last name in b-m). After I finally got inside, I had to get in the line corresponding to the initial letter of my last name. When my turn came, I found myself in front of a table with two friendly employees who checked my first and last name in the passport, gave me a yellow leaflet with a registration number and a brochure with all the necessary information about the exam, put a paper orange bracelet on my wrist and wished me luck with a smile. ...
At the entrance to the classroom, other employees indicate the place where you need to sit. Surprisingly, no one forced you to hand over your bags and jackets, that is, you take all this with you to your place.
What can put on the table and use during the exam :
- Ballpoint or gel pen.
- A monolingual German dictionary, that is, an explanatory one.
- Watch.
- Drink.
What forbidden :
- Pencil or pen that can be erased.
- Proofreaders (putty in common people).
- Mobile phone and other gadgets.
- Books, notebooks.
- YOUR drafts.
We were asked to turn off our mobile phones, remove all prohibited items from the table in the bag, and put the bag under the table. Agree, quite humanely. Our dictionaries have been checked by assistants for notes / notes.
Immediately before the start of the exam, the lecturer who was supposed to read the report for Hörverstehen, informed us about the rules of the exam, and also explained some of the terms from the report. The assistants gave us drafts and envelopes with assignments.
The exam began at exactly 9 o'clock. The topic of the report was the exploration of caves, which is not critical for me personally: all these stalactites and stalagmites are not new to me.
After the first listen, we had to open the envelopes STRICTLY BY SIGNAL so that everyone can start tasks at the same time. Of course, violation of the rules is punishable by removal from the exam.
While we were working on the assignments, the assistants walked up and down the rows, controlling the order. Fortunately, they did it as quietly as possible, so as not to irritate the already electrified examinees.
A certain amount of time is allotted to complete any part of the exam, which IT IS FORBIDDEN... As soon as the examiner announces that the time has expired, it is necessary to immediately finish the work and fold the forms with the answers in the envelope. Otherwise, you will be removed from the exam.
So, after the time for completing the assignments expired, we put the answers in an envelope and handed them over to the assistants. Leaving your seat while distributing and collecting envelopes also FORBIDDEN, even if you need to use the toilet. These are the rules. You can leave the audience directly during the exam, which will be noted by the assistants in a special journal. The time you spent outside the classroom is not compensated.
While the assistants collected and handed out the envelopes, the examinees had the opportunity to take a breath and mentally prepare for the next part - Leseverstehen + Wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen.
Open the envelopes again at the signal and get to work. You can start with both reading and grammar, no one controls the execution order. As with listening, you can use a dictionary.
I was absolutely sure that I would absolutely not have any problems with this part, but five minutes before the deadline for completing the assignments, a setup awaited me: it turned out that in some completely inexplicable way I did not notice a WHOLE page with four assignments to the text. I guess it's easy to imagine what range of emotions I experienced at that moment. Looking frantically for information in the text, I still managed to complete two tasks, eventually losing 25 points for the others.
TIP # 5: Time management is one of the fundamental conditions for successfully passing the DSH. Be as attentive as possible and plan your time in order to have time to complete all tasks and CHECK what has been written.
After the section "Reading", there was a long-awaited twenty-minute pause, and the examinees were finally able to breathe deeply, have a snack and rest, so that later with renewed vigor they could begin the part. Textproduktion.
When we took our seats, we were given envelopes with assignments, which we opened at the signal of the lecturer and began to work. As an essay topic, I came across vegetarianism in Germany and the reasons why people become vegetarians: fertile ground for thought for me personally.
Whether from a snack, or from the stress experienced at Leseverstehen, I got a second wind, thanks to which I met the time and coped with the task without any problems.
TIP # 6: write an essay IMMEDIATELY for a clean copy to reduce the time spent on the assignment.
TIP # 7: As I already wrote, on DSH it is forbidden to use "putties". What if you make a mistake that you need to correct? Carefully cross out what was written in ONE line and put it in brackets.
After the time elapsed over the essay, the assistants collected our envelopes, and at exactly 14:00 the exam ended. Exhausted examinees sadly wandered home.
WRITING RESULTS
On June 13, I received a letter from the university stating that I was automatically admitted to the oral exam, since I passed the written exam on DSH-2 or DSH-3. The exact results were published on the website of the University of Essen, as promised, on Friday 16 May. In front of the individual registration number, it indicated what level of DSH received, if at all.
ORAL PART
I received an invitation to an oral exam with an indication of the individual time by e-mail on June 20, and the exam itself took place on June 24.
This time it was held in another building of the university. I arrived earlier than the specified time, the assistants asked to wait a little. Then they asked everyone who showed up at 11:05 (my time) to come to check-in. They checked our passports, asked to sign, put on paper bracelets again. Then we were given the opportunity to choose one of three oral topics (I, without thinking twice, chose "Trade in organic products in the EU"). After choosing a topic, they took our previously disconnected mobile phones from us, packed them in paper envelopes, and later took us to the preparation room, where we spent 20 minutes, as prescribed by the rules of the exam.
After the time for preparation had expired, we were taken to the classrooms, where direct communication with the examiners takes place.
There are only two examiners, a man and a woman, disarmingly benevolent and pleasant in every way.
To begin with, we got to know each other, I told a little about myself and my chosen specialty (art history). I was asked a couple of questions and asked to go to the presentation on the chosen topic.
During the lecture, the examiners asked me questions, for example, they asked me to rephrase what was said. They didn’t listen to me completely, they started asking questions both on the topic and outsiders, for example, what city I’m from, which section of the written part seemed to me the most difficult, and so on.
The examiners could not help but pay attention to the fact that I was very worried, and paid a lot of attention to this. They were interested in whether they could help me with something, convinced me that everything was fine, and encouraged me in every possible way. Even somehow embarrassing.
TIP # 8: If you know you tend to be nervous during an exam, take EVERYTHING you can to reduce your anxiety. Otherwise, it may not have the best effect on the exam results.
After I was released, the assistants asked me to go to the waiting room (Wartezimmer) to wait for the overall DSH result and pick up my mobile phone.
When my turn came, I was summoned to the DSH office, where I was handed a document with the results, with which I subsequently need to come for a certificate.
So, I have DSH-2 - the level of German, sufficient to study in a German university.
EVALUATION OF EXAM RESULTS
- DSH-1 (minimum 57%)
- DSH-2 (minimum 67%)
- DSH-3 (minimum 82%)
In this case, the overall score for both parts is calculated based on the lowest score. Thus, if for the written part you received 77%, which corresponds to the DSH-2 level, and for the oral part - 86% (DSH-3), then the overall score will be DSH-2.
DSH PREPARATION RESOURCES
My tutorials:
I sincerely thank everyone who read my review to the end for the attention.
If you still have any questions, do not hesitate to ask them in the comments or private messages.
Toi, toi, toi für Ihre Prüfung!
The DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprufung fur den Hochschulzugang) is taken to confirm the level of German language proficiency if you plan to study at a university in Germany. The exam is taken on the territory of Germany at a German university. What is the difference between the DSH and TestDaF exams, what are the features and benefits of DSH? Minder Education experts will figure this out with you.| Why choose DSH exam over TestDaF? |
TestDaF is an exam that can be taken at a certification center in the country where you live. There is no need to specially travel to Germany, apply for a visa and worry whether you will find your way around what is happening and where. Nevertheless, many students choose DSH. This is primarily due to the structure of the test. You can take one of three types of exam:
DSH1 - corresponds to level B1;
DSH2 - Your language level must be between B2 / C1;
DSH3 - focused on the C1 / C2 language proficiency level.
For admission to a university or Studienkolleg, the DSH2 exam is passed. DSH3 is usually taken by students who want to enroll in a master's program or in a specialty where German is required in the most advanced form - medicine, law, state specialties, German studies and others.
German universities tacitly give preference to the DSH exam precisely because it shows results in a wider range. At the same time, TestDaF focuses on only one level.
| Where and when is DSH rented? |
The exam can be taken at any university in Germany. Applicants from 17 years old who have a certificate of secondary education are allowed to exams. Testing is carried out about six times a year. But the schedule of the exam, like its program, is made by the university independently. Therefore, if you do not have time to check out DSH in the current month, you can register and go next month, only to another university.
For foreign students, the exam is paid, from 180 euros, depending on the program.
The exam can be retaken in three months. But keep in mind that you need to prepare thoroughly, because you can retake only once a year. If you are not lucky the second time, then the next time you can take DSH is only a year after the second attempt.
There are no official restrictions on the validity period of the certificate. But in fact, universities will focus on results throughout the year. If you received the certificate more than a year ago, then you will be asked to confirm the result and take the exam again.
| How to prepare for the DSH exam? |
There are no specific training requirements. You can learn German both in your hometown and go to preparatory courses in Germany. There are programs focused specifically on passing DSH, where you not only study intensively, but also be able to get used to in Germany. Get to know the culture, life, make acquaintances and go “on exploration” to the universities in which you would like to study. For more information about the cost of courses and accommodation, duration and advantages of each country, read
Do you still have questions or would you like to find a language Skoda to prepare for DSH in Germany? Contact a Minder Education consultant and together we will select courses depending on your goals and level of knowledge of German.
The DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprufung fur den Hochschulzugang) is required if you are applying to one of the German universities. It includes two parts: written and oral. The written exam takes place before the oral exam. To complete the written part, it is allowed, as a rule, to use an explanatory dictionary.
Written part of the DSH exam
1. Understanding and analyzing audio text
It is necessary to confirm the understanding of scientific lectures and abstracts, as well as the ability to take notes on them (perceive by ear). Audio text includes 50-100 lines. Before listening, you will be told about its subject. After that, the text is read aloud once or twice. You can take notes in parallel.
After that, an assignment will be issued, which may differ in different universities. These can be answers to questions about the text, or the transfer of the meaning of the text or part of it (retelling). When assessing knowledge, more attention is paid to the content part, rather than grammar.
2. Understanding and analyzing printed text
The skills of understanding the written text in German are tested. It is necessary to complete the tasks, formulating phrases yourself, you cannot rewrite the text in paragraphs. You will be offered an unadapted text of 30-60 lines, which may be accompanied by a picture or graph.
Various options for tasks are possible:
... answers to questions about the content of the text;
... comments on text passages;
... summarizing and breaking down the text into semantic parts, etc.
And in this task, the content part is priority, and not grammatical correctness.
3. Composing the text according to the specified criteria
In this part of the exam, you need to show the ability to independently formulate in writing a coherent detailed text according to the specified criteria. As initial data, you can be provided with abstracts, notes, graphs or illustrations.
Various types of tasks are possible:
... explanation of the initial theses;
... commenting on abstracts;
... written development of the proposed theses, etc.
Here, along with the content (the coherence of the text, etc.), grammatical correctness is assessed.
4. Understanding and analysis of the structures of the scientific language
In this part of the exam, it is necessary to answer questions aimed at understanding, as well as supplementing and reformulating language structures that are often used in scientific vocabulary.
These four areas can occur in various combinations, so the DSH Written Exam can be in two, three, or four parts. But, in any case, the exam covers all the named areas. Understanding and analyzing the examination text does not require any special professional knowledge.
Oral portion of the DSH exam
Typically, the DSH includes an oral part, which takes no more than 20 minutes. Sometimes the oral exam is not taken if the applicant has already proven his oral knowledge in the preparation courses before the DSH exam or in the pre-DSH oral exam. Therefore, it is better to clarify the procedure for conducting the exam at the university where you plan to enroll.
During the oral part of the DSH exam, you must demonstrate the ability to conduct a conversation in German, discuss issues from the scientific field. During the oral exam, the following qualities are tested: understanding, presentation of the essence and commenting. In addition, it is checked how adequately you can react in a conversation about the specialties studied at the university.
Often a short text, illustration, etc. is used for the oral part of the exam. Topics - from the scientific field. The oral exam can also be conducted without a basic written text.
Before the start of the oral examination, as a rule, time is allowed for preparation - about 20 minutes. During this time, it is necessary to analyze the main content and think over possible questions about the text in advance. It is also worth thinking about your own position on the issues raised in the text.
In some universities in Germany, the oral part of the DSH exam is also held in a group, or with two or three applicants at once.
The DSH exam rules apply throughout Germany. However, since universities organize the exam on their own, there may be a difference in assignments. Therefore, it is worth requesting a sample of exam assignments from the university of your choice. DSH, which was passed under the current regulations, is usually recognized by all universities in Germany.
DSH Exam Assessment
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) - one of the possible language exams for foreign applicants in Germany. Exam The DSH is a test of German language proficiency at levels from B2 to C1 according to the six-level scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The exam results are recognized by all higher education institutions in Germany. In this case, a certificate of possession of specialized knowledge is not required.
The rules for the DSH exam are the same throughout Germany, but since the exam is conducted by universities independently, the types of tasks may differ.
The international DSH certificate is valid for all German universities.
The certificate proves that its owner is able to:
- to identify detailed information in short texts of various contents
- understand the details and main provisions of newspaper and scientific texts, which deal with scientific or socially popular issues
- identify detailed information in everyday situations
- follow the course of an interview or conversation, the topic of which is study or general scientific issues
- understand reports on scientific topics
- write your own well-structured texts, clearly and reasonably expressing your thoughts
- describe, summarize and compare various data and information
- express your point of view during a discussion or conversation, reasonably and reasonably offer alternative options or put forward hypotheses
Exam conditions
Anyone can take the DSH test, regardless of age and German citizenship.
A prerequisite for participation in DSH at most universities is admission to higher education. Participation in preparatory courses is optional.
Preparation
If you believe that your knowledge meets the requirements for this level, you can apply for the DSH exam at any time. However, we recommend completing our preparatory course. In this course, you will acquire the necessary language and practical skills to help you pass the exam.
Written part of the exam
1. Ability to understand and analyze audio text.
The goal is to test the ability to perceive scientific lectures and abstracts by ear, as well as to take notes on them. Audio text consists of 50-100 lines. Before listening to itthe subject of the text is reported, after which it is reproduced once or twice. It is assumed that as you reproduce the text, you will make brief notes.
2. Testing the comprehension skills of the printed text in German.
For familiarization, applicants are offered an unadapted text of 30-60 lines, to which it is necessary to complete tasks, formulating answers on their ownreally. Rewriting sentences or paragraphs from the text is strictly prohibited.
Tasks can take the form:
- answers to questions regarding the content of the read
- commenting on text passages
- breaking the text into semantic parts or retelling it
This assignment also prioritizes content, not grammar.
3. Ability to compose a text according to the specified parameters.
Notes, graphs, illustrations and abstracts are offered as initial data.
The answer to the task can take the form:
- explanations of the proposed theses
- comments on theses
- disclosure of the proposed theses in writing, etc.
This stage, along with the content, is also designed to assess the knowledge of grammar.
4. Ability to understand and analyze a scientific text.
This part of the examprovides answers to questions that are aimed at understanding, and, in addition, the addition or reformulation of speech structures often used in scientific speech.
A written examThe DSH does not necessarily include all four of the above - it can be made up of two or three categories in various combinations. No special professional knowledge is required to understand and analyze the text.
The written part is carried out first and allows the use of an explanatory dictionary. The received positive mark gives the right to participate in the oral exam, which will be held laterI have been for several days.
Oral part of the exam
The oral part usually takes no more than 20 minutes. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to conduct a scientific conversation in German and logically express his thoughts on a given topic.
The applicant is exempt from the speaking exam if he is goodproved himself in preparatory coursesDSH (in view of this, the procedure for conducting the oral part must be clarified).
Sometimes, for the oral part of the exam, it is suggested that you familiarize yourself with a small text, illustration or graph on any scientific topic.
Before the start The applicant is given 20 minutes for preliminary preparation, during which he can familiarize himself with the content of the text, think over the answers to possible questions, write down the main theses. During this time, we advise you to formulateto give your own opinion on a given topic.
Some universities conduct the oral part of the exam in a group or with two or three applicants at the same time.
How the exam is assessed
It is considered that the exam is passed if the applicant has completed at least two-thirds of the tasks in the written and oral parts. After passing the exam, the applicant receives a certificate with his results.
Legend of results:
- < 57% – не сдан
- 57% – 66% - "DSH 1", low level, not enough for admission to a university
- 67% – 81% - "DSH 2" - passed, the minimum required for admission to a university
- 82% – 100% - "DSH 3" - excellent and more than enough for admission
Where to take the DSH test
The DSH exam can be taken 3-4 weeks before the start of the next semester at German universities, and at certified examination centers. Each university sets the specific date for passing the DSH exam itself.
Can I take the DSH exam again?
Retake the examDSH is allowed only once. The opportunity to retake it a second time is rarely given by the chairman of the examination committee. You can be admitted to retake no earlier than three months after you made the first attempt.
WITH cost of participating in an exam
Exam participation feeDSH is 100-150 euros. In some universities, it is rented for free.
