C-Test at the University of Hohenheim: English placement
The University of Hohenheim Language Centre places students in its courses with a C-Test, compulsory for all but beginners’ courses. You take it without registering in the Mediothek, or online on request. Here are the facts from the Language Centre’s C-Test page.
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 | 5 authentic texts in which half of every second word has been deleted |
|---|---|
| Time | about 25 minutes on a computer |
| Points | one point for each correctly completed half of a word |
| Where | in the Mediothek (Euroforum, upper floor) with your Hohenheim user account; online on request by email to c-test-eng@ua.uni-hohenheim.de |
| Opening hours | in the 2026/27 winter semester Mon, Tue and Thu 10:00 to 12:30, Wed 10:00 to 15:30, Fri 10:00 to 11:30 |
| Registration | none; just come by during opening hours |
| Who | compulsory for all English courses except beginners’ courses |
| Result | on screen straight after the test; for internal placement only, with no certificate of the level reached |
| No new test | if your last test was within the past three semesters or you passed the previous course |
Source: Universität Hohenheim: Einstufungstest (C-Test)
Rules and limits
- According to the access requirements page, you may take only one placement test per language in each test period. The periods run from April to September and from October to March.
- The same page gives a validity of 3 semesters, not counting the semester in which you took the test.
- At the test you show a valid student card or other photo ID.
- You cannot use the Language Centre’s onSET English for placement in language courses, according to its onSET page.
Points for the English courses
- According to the Language Centre’s course structure (as of 1.8.2024): UNIcert I (up to B1) with 0 to 65 points, including English Refresher A2 with 40 to 50 and Intermediate Level English B1 with 50 to 65 points.
- UNIcert II (B2) with 65 to 85 points or the UNIcert I certificate; English for Sciences B2 can be joined with 75 points.
- UNIcert III (C1) with 85 to 125 points or the UNIcert II certificate.
- For the current scores, the C-Test page refers to this course structure and to the notice board in the Language Centre.
What this means for your preparation
- Five texts in about 25 minutes is roughly 5 minutes per text, tighter than the C-Test Prep simulation with 4 texts in 25 minutes.
- Each correctly completed word half earns one point; the page says nothing about partial credit. In Hohenheim, type carefully rather than hastily.
- According to the practice test page, there is an online practice test of one text in 5 minutes. Do it beforehand; the Mediothek does not offer it.
- The Language Centre recommends reading authentic texts such as newspapers, or listening to radio and TV in the language, for about a week beforehand.
- The cut-offs at 65 and 85 points (2024 course structure) separate B1, B2 and C1. With only one test per test period, it pays to practise first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for the C-Test in Hohenheim?
No. You come to the Mediothek during opening hours without registering and log in with your Hohenheim user account.
Can I take the Hohenheim test online?
Yes, if needed. Write to c-test-eng@ua.uni-hohenheim.de and you receive an automatic reply with a link, a password and further instructions.
Do I get a certificate of my level in Hohenheim?
No. The Language Centre uses the test only for internal placement, so it does not issue a certificate.
Does my Hohenheim onSET English count for placement?
No. The Language Centre offers the onSET as language proof for exchange programmes; it cannot be used for placement in language courses.