What exams prove your C1 German level?

There are five main certificates that prove your C1 German level. Which one you choose often depends on the university you're applying to.

#Accepted C1 Exams

#University Acceptance Rates

#Which One is Right for You?

✅ TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache, a standardized German language test for non-native speakers) — Your safest bet if you're applying from Turkey and want to send applications to multiple universities. ✅ Goethe C1 (Goethe-Institut, Germany's cultural institute, offers German language courses and exams worldwide) — More prestigious; good if you want a direct certificate after a language school. ✅ telc C1 Hochschule (telc, The European Language Certificates, offers standardized language exams; Hochschule refers to a German university, often a university of applied sciences) — A newer exam, cheaper (around €150), and some students say it's "easier." ✅ DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang, a German language examination for university admission) — You typically take this at the end of a Studienkolleg (a preparatory college for international students whose school-leaving certificate is not recognized in Germany) or language course in Germany.

#C1 Exam Comparison

#Practical Tip

If you scored a 3 in only one section of the TestDaF, you don't have to retake the entire exam. You can retake just that specific section (a big advantage of TestDaF).

Related: How many points do you need in each TestDaF section?