C-Test at the University of Giessen: English placement
At Justus Liebig University Giessen, the ZfbK’s Forum Sprachen places students in its advanced courses with a C-Test, English included. You take it online whenever you like, but only once. Here are the facts from the university’s pages.
Last checked:
C-Test Prep is not part of any university. Dates and rules can change; the university’s own page is always authoritative.
Key facts
| Format | C-Test; the page does not say how many texts or gaps it has |
|---|---|
| Time | 35 minutes at most, after which the test ends automatically |
| Where and when | online at any time; one test link each for English, French, Italian and Spanish |
| Who | anyone who wants an advanced course in English, French, Italian or Spanish and has prior knowledge but has not yet taken a course in that language at the ZfbK |
| Also required | without a written or passed final exam, when your last course was over a year ago, or after big progress, for example from a stay abroad |
| How often | one attempt only; access is locked once you start |
| Validity | one year for course registration |
| Exemption | a passed final exam: the next course in the two following semesters without a test |
Source: Einstufungstests – ZfbK (JLU Gießen)
Rules
- You cannot pause the test. Only start it when you really mean to take it: afterwards it is locked, whether you have finished or the 35 minutes have run out.
- According to the test’s start page, you enter your first name, surname, date of birth and email exactly as you will at course registration, with only letters of the German alphabet in your name.
- The start page warns that only those who work on their own and without aids get a realistic assessment and a sensible recommendation.
- If there is a semester’s break between your passed exam and your next course, email the Forum Sprachen with the semester and course of your exam; they send you the access details for registration.
- Advanced courses in all other languages have no placement test: you need the previous levels or proof of your skills, and you talk to the teacher before the course starts.
What this means for your preparation
- 35 minutes is 10 minutes more than the C-Test Prep simulation (4 texts, 100 gaps, 25 minutes). The page does not say how many texts Giessen sets, so watch the time remaining rather than fixing minutes per text.
- You get a single attempt and its result lasts a year. Do your practice runs on C-Test Prep beforehand, because merely starting the Giessen test locks it.
- Set aside 35 uninterrupted minutes: there is no pausing and no restarting.
- Giessen does not explain the gap rule itself but links to examples and theory on c-test.de. The C-Test Prep texts follow the classic C-Test principle, where every second word loses its second half.
Frequently asked questions
Can I retake the placement test in Giessen?
No. According to the ZfbK you can take the test only once; after you start, your access is locked.
How long is my Giessen test result valid?
For one year for registering for ZfbK courses.
Do I need a new test in Giessen after passing a course?
Not if you sat and passed the final exam: you then take the next course in the two following semesters without a test. After a semester’s break you ask the Forum Sprachen for access details.
How many texts does the Giessen test have?
The page does not say. It gives only the 35-minute limit and points to c-test.de for examples.