German exams
Mainhattan Languages offers specific preparatory courses for the DSH, GDS,TestDaf, ZDFB, and several other German tests.
DSH – Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (“German Language Test for College Admission for Foreign Students”)
Similar to the TestDaF; administered in Germany and by some licensed schools. The DSH examination is used to prove a foreign student’s ability to understand lectures and study at a German university. The duration of the course is approx. 1200 hours.
Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS, “Advanced German Language Diploma”)
Students taking the GDS must be virtually fluent in German as it is rated (by some countries) as being the equivalent of a German teaching qualification. The exam covers the four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), structural competence and dictation. In addition to spoken fluency, candidates will need advanced grammatical ability and be capable of preparing texts and discussing issues about German literature, natural sciences and economics.
TestDaF – Test Deutsch alsFremdsprache (“Test of German as a Foreign Language”)
The TestDaF serves as proof of sufficient German language skills for people who wish to study at a German university.
As standardized exam for meeting university language requirements, the TestDaF exam is equivalent to the DSH exam (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang).
Students with no prior knowledge of German can reach the required language level in approximately 1200 hours at Mainhattan Languages.
For the TestDaF we recommend all students who have successfully completed the level C1 to take our four-week TestDaF preparatory course.
Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP, “Central Intermediate Test”)
Which is accepted by some German universities as proof of German proficiency. The ZMP requires 800-1000 hours of instruction. The examination tests reading comprehension, listening, writing skills, and verbal communication at an advanced/intermediate level.
Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD, “Certificate German”)
Internationally recognized proof of a basic working knowledge of the German language. Candidates must be able to deal with everyday situations and have a command of basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students who have taken about 500-600 class hours can register for the exam.
German for business language examinations
Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB, “Certificate German for Business”)
A special German test aimed at business professionals.The ZDfB is specifically for those students interested in business relations. The candidate will show that he can cope with general day-to-day business situations both orally and in writing.
Exam consists of written section, structures/vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, business correspondence, plus oral examination.
Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch (PWD)
International Business German Exam (PWD)
“Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International” (PWD) is an internationally recognized test given at Carl Duisberg Centren, the Goethe Institute and the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The standardized exam is carried out around the world and is recognized by employers in many countries as evidence of a high level of business language proficiency in German. The level of PWD is between levels B2 and C1 of the European Framework.
