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Study and research in Germany

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Study and research in Germany

Home « Study and research in Germany « Learn German « How to learn German? « The ''Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)''

The ''Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)''

Who s.t. the exam?

There is a framework examination regulation for the DSH which is valid throughout Germany (new version of 8.6.2004). Within the scope of this framework, the individual universities are themselves responsible for setting the exams. This is why questions, tasks and assignments will differ. And this means that it is very important that you make sure that you ask the higher education institution of your choice to send you a specimen set of its examination questions.

As a rule, therefore, a DSH which you have taken and passed at a German higher education institution within the scope of the examination framework will be recognised by other institutions.

Who can sit the exam?

Many higher education institutions expect foreign students to sit the DSH as a requirement for admission to a full course of academic study.

The DSH does not need to be taken as a requirement for attending a preparatory course; it is recommended, however.

What does the exam test?

The DSH consists of two parts: Written exams and an oral exam. The written examinations are taken before the oral exam.

As a rule, a monolingual dictionary may be used during the written examinations.

The written examination lasts from three to four full hours and covers the following examination sections:

Listening comprehension and use of the language from a listening text

Reading comprehension and use of the language from a reading text

Text production based on given details

Comprehension and use of structures used in the language of science and study

These four examination sections may also be combined within individual examination papers, meaning that the written examination may be made up of two, three or four papers or examination parts. Whatever the case may be, all four examination sections will be covered.

You do not need any specialist knowledge to understand the examination texts and to work on or answer the examination questions.

Listening comprehension and using the language from a listening text
The "Listening comprehension and using the language from a listening text" examination section requires you to demonstrate that you can follow and understand lectures and oral presentations (papers/talks) on an academic or scientific field or subject, that you can make meaningful notes on what you have heard and can work on and use the text and language.

The text you will hear is between 50 and 100 standard lines long. Before the presentation, you will be informed about the topics covered in the listening text. The text will be read out to you once or twice. You may take notes. You will be given questions and assignments before the text is read out to you a final time. These questions and assignments may be combined differently from one higher education institution to the next. You may be asked to

  • answer questions

  • report on or summarise the text or parts of the text

You are judged on whether the questions/assignments were fully and appropriately completed. In this process, aspects of content are given greater weighting that correct language usage.

Reading comprehension and using the language from a reading text
The "Reading comprehension and using the language from a reading text" examination section tests whether you are able to understand a given piece of writing. You should be able to address the examination questions with independently worded written answers and must absolutely avoid copying whole text passages. You will be presented with a largely authentic text (30-60 standard lines) which may include a figure or chart.

This examination section may again ask you to complete various assignments, such as:

  • answering questions on the content and structure of a text

  • explaining text passages

  • summarising the text and identifying its structure.

This examination section also judges performance according to whether the questions/assignments have been fully and appropriately completed. In this process, aspects of content are always given greater weighting than correct language usage.

Text production based on given details
The "Text production based on given details" examination section will require you to prove that you are able to write a longer continuous text on a given topic independently and coherently. Typical details you may be given are: hypotheses (propositions, proposals), short texts, charts or pictures, etc.

Various kinds of questions/assignments will again be s.t. such as:

  • explain the given material

  • compare various pieces of given material

  • comment on the given material

  • describe various pieces of the given material in words (such as figures, charts, diagrams)

Besides aspects of content (such as text structure and coherence), this section above all judges linguistic performance.

Understanding and using structures found in the academic language of study and science
Questions and assignments in the examination section "Understanding and using structures found in the academic language of study and science" are text bound. Questions will be asked on understanding, complementing and restructuring language structures frequently used in the academic language of science and study.

Oral examination
As a rule, the DSH will include an oral examination which will last a maximum of 20 minutes. Some higher education institutions dispense with the oral examination if the candidate's oral language skills have been previously established through attendance of pre-DSH language courses on spoken German and/or participation in an oral examination before coming to take the DSH. You can obtain detailed information on this from the higher education institution to which you are applying.

The oral examination section requires you to prove that you can understand a process, some general factual content or chain of thought from a field of science or the humanities and can analyse and discuss this using appropriate language. The following skills are tested: Understanding, speaking, commenting. In addition, you will be tested on whether you can respond appropriately in a conversation on study-related contexts.

In many cases, a short text, chart or similar image will serve as the basis for the oral examination. Topics comes from the university sector.

Questions and assignments may relate to the given material; however, complementary or further aspects may be addressed.

The examination interview may also be held without a written text.

Before the oral examination, you will generally be given around 20 minutes to prepare. You must use this time in order to identify essential aspects of content and to consider in which direction any further questions may go. Please also use the time to think about your own viewpoint on the topic.

At some higher education institutions, the oral examination is held in the form of group examinations with two or three participants.

Your performance will be judged with particular attention paid to the following points:

  • Does the language you use correspond adequately to the question/assignment?

  • Are you able to express yourself independently with a differentiated viewpoint?

  • Is the language you use correct?

  • Is your pronunciation and intonation comprehensible?

What does the examination result look like?

The test result is expressed in three levels: DSH 1, DSH 2 or DSH 3. A pass achieved at DSH 2 level or better counts as proof of sufficient German language skills for admission to or matriculation in any degree programme.

Candidates are allowed to check their examination papers once all the results have been received.

Where and how can I take the exam?

As a rule, the DSH is taken at higher education institutions in Germany three to four weeks before the semester begins. The exact dates are set by the higher education institutions themselves. The institution to which you are applying for a study place will advise you of the next round of examination dates (generally at the beginning of the semester).

If you fail the DSH, many universities will require you to apply for a place on a preparatory course. At other universities you are automatically entitled to a place on such a course if you failed the DSH at this particular higher education institution.

How much does it cost to take the exam?

Many higher education institutions allow you to take the examination at no cost. While some institutions do charge a fee, however, of around 30 to 60 euros.

How often can I retake the exam?

The DSH test may be repeated. Please check the local examinations regulations for further details..

Further information

Further information is available from the higher education institution at which you would like to commence your studies.

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DAAD Glossary

Immatrikulation

"Einschreibung" and "Immatrikulation" mean registration or matriculation at a university. To register, students have to go to the registrar's office or the student registration office, often known in German as "Studierendensekretariat". They generally have to present their Admissions or Acceptance Letter (Zulassungsbescheid) and their Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung), generally a school-leaving certificate, like the Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. They also have to pay a registration fee.

Klausur

A "Klausur" is an invigilated or proctored written examination, sometimes also called a "closed examination". These are a required part of a final examination.

Semester

The academic year in Germany is generally divided into two semesters rather than three terms, such as is generally the case in the UK and other countries. German universities generally have a winter semester that runs from October to March and a summer semester that runs from April to September. A semester includes both the period when courses and lectures are held (Vorlesungszeit) and the time without lectures (recess) in which students can revise and prepare (Vorlesungsfreiezeit).

Universität

"Universität" means university and is used for research universities (wissenschaftliche Hochschulen) that offer a broad range of subjects (like arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, economics and business administration, law, medicine). These institutions confer doctorates. The strong research focus benefits students in their training. Please note, however, that English texts often use the term "university" generically, i.e. to cover all kinds of higher education institutions, for example, universities of the arts, universities of applied sciences, universities of education, etc.

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Source: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/deutsch-lernen/wie-deutsch-lernen/00573.en.html
Date: 2008-12-04