C-Test English: format, points, levels

Many German university language centres place students in English courses with a C-Test. This page explains how the test is built, how much time you get, which score matches which level and where the result matters beyond course placement. Every fact links to the official page.

Last checked: 12 October 2026

How a C-Test is built

Several short texts. The first and the last sentence of each text stay complete. (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)
In between, every second word is missing half of its letters. With an odd number of letters, the shorter half is given: "the" becomes "t", "father" becomes "fat". (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)
Each gap is one point. In Münster there are 100 gaps, so the maximum is 100 points. (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)
The test is meant to be hard: blank gaps are normal, native-speaker level is not the goal. (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)

Format at different universities

The principle is the same everywhere; the number of texts and gaps differs:

University	Format	Time	Attempts / validity	Source
Universität Münster	4 texts, 100 gaps	25 min	once per semester	www.uni-muenster.de
Universität Tübingen	5 texts ("testlets") of 25 gaps each	25 min	once per test period; result valid for 1 year	uni-tuebingen.de
Sprachenzentrum der Hochschulen im Land Bremen	4 texts of about 25 gaps each	25 min	n/s	www.uni-bremen.de
Universität Duisburg-Essen	5 texts × 20 gaps	25 min	n/s	www.uni-due.de
TU Darmstadt	5 texts × 20 gaps	n/s	n/s	www.spz.tu-darmstadt.de
Universität Göttingen	5 texts	n/s	n/s	gcms-prod1.uni-goettingen.de
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt	5 texts	n/s	n/s	www.uni-frankfurt.de
Universität Marburg	online C-Test	25 min	n/s	www.uni-marburg.de

n/s = not stated on the linked page.

At Saarland University the C-Test is required for English and French even for beginner courses (A1). (Source: Universität des Saarlandes, Sprachenzentrum: Einstufungstest) In Duisburg-Essen it is required for courses from A1 to C2. (Source: Universität Duisburg-Essen (IwiS): Einstufungstests)

Points and levels

There is no single conversion; each university sets its own cut-offs. The Tübingen language centre publishes this table for its C-Test: (Source: Universität Tübingen: Einstufungstests)

Points	Level (CEFR)
0–34	A1
35–49	A2
50–64	B1
65–74	B2.1
75–85	B2.2
85 and above	C1

Some courses require a different score; it is given in the course description. (Source: Universität Tübingen: Einstufungstests)
The test only places you in a course level. It is not a general proof of language ability and not a certificate, for example for scholarships. (Source: Universität Tübingen: Einstufungstests)
A result is valid for a full year; results from other institutions are not accepted. (Source: Universität Tübingen: Einstufungstests)

In English Studies at Münster, 70 points or more count as adequate English for the foundation modules. (Source: Fachschaft Anglistik Münster: C-Test) The Bremen language centre recommends taking the DAAD language certificate exam only with a C-Test result of B2.2 or higher. (Source: SZHB: DAAD-Sprachzeugnisse)

When the result matters more

Münster, law (FFA, English track): enrolment from 70 points with a supplementary course, from 85 points without it. (Source: Universität Münster, Rechtswissenschaft: FFA – Anmeldung und Ablauf)
Münster, law faculty: according to a 2020 notice, the language centre’s C-Test was sufficient for the internal allocation of study-abroad places. (Source: BaSIC Münster: C-Test für einen Auslandsstudienplatz (28.09.2020))
Where you only get one attempt per semester (Münster), a weak result means waiting a semester. (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)

Everything about the C-Test at Münster →

When practice is worth it – and when it is not

Worth it

You get one attempt per semester.
Something depends on the score: FFA, an exchange place, the course level that fits your study plan.
You do not know the format yet. The technique – spotting the word type, inferring the ending from context, managing time – can be practised.

Probably not needed

You just want a suitable course and can test again in the next period.
You have an accepted certificate: for the Münster FFA, TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS Academic 6.5, for example, are credited with about 70 points. (Source: Sprachenzentrum Universität Münster: C-Test)

How to practise with C-Test Prep

One free text with 25 gaps shows you where you stand. The English Pass (€12) has 10 practice texts from B1 to C1 and a simulation in the Münster format: 4 texts, 100 gaps, 25 minutes, then an estimated level using the Tübingen table and an explanation of every gap.

Start the free test See the English Pass

Frequently asked questions

How many points does a C-Test have?

In Münster 100: four texts with 100 gaps in total, one point per gap. Other universities use five texts with 20 or 25 gaps.

How much time do I get?

In Münster, Tübingen, Bremen, Duisburg-Essen and Marburg, 25 minutes for the whole test.

Which score matches which level?

It depends on the university. Tübingen publishes for its C-Test: 0–34 A1, 35–49 A2, 50–64 B1, 65–74 B2.1, 75–85 B2.2, 85 and above C1. Some courses require different scores.

Can I retake the C-Test?

In Münster once per semester, in Tübingen once per test period. Other universities set their own rules.

Is the C-Test result a language certificate?

In Tübingen explicitly not: it only places you in a course level and does not count as proof, for example for scholarships. In Münster, however, the C-Test counts for enrolling in the FFA (law) and, according to a 2020 notice, was sufficient for the law faculty’s internal allocation of exchange places.