---
title: "German C-Test: university placement and practice · C-Test Prep"
description: "Where German universities and Studienkollegs use a German C-Test, with sources, plus three free German C-Tests (B1–C1) with answers explained."
canonical: https://ctestprep.de/en/german-c-test
last_updated: 2026-10-31
---

# German C-Test: university placement and practice

Not just in English: 16 universities place international students in their German courses with a C-Test, and 8 Studienkollegs and preparatory courses use one in their entrance test. Here is where, in which format, with sources. Below you can practise three German C-Tests for free.

Last checked: 31 October 2026

C-Test Prep is not part of any university or Studienkolleg. The linked page is always authoritative.

## How the German C-Test works

- Several short texts; the first and the last sentence stay complete.
- In between, every second word loses its second half, nouns included. With an odd number of letters, usually one letter more is missing; Hannover removes one fewer.
- Each correctly completed gap is one point. Endings count: "dem" instead of "den" is wrong.
- Time is short: 25 to 50 minutes for 4 to 8 texts. Blank gaps are normal.

## Placement in German courses (16)

| Where | What the page says | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [University of Münster](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-uni-muenster) | 4 short texts, 100 gaps; €2 per test, 25 minutes | [Anleitung zur Durchführung des C-Tests am Sprachenzentrum](https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sprachenzentrum/sprachtests/c-test/index.html) |
| University of Hamburg | 8 gap texts; once per semester, 50 minutes | [FAQ: Einstufung/Anmeldung](https://www.uni-hamburg.de/sprachenzentrum/daf/faq.html) |
| [Leibniz University Hannover](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-uni-hannover) | E-Test in C-Test format, 5 texts; two attempts, 25 minutes | [Einstufungstest](https://www.llc.uni-hannover.de/testen-pruefen/einstufungstests) |
| Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg | 5 texts × 25 gaps; one attempt, 30 minutes | [C-Test](https://www.sprz.ovgu.de/sprz/en/Language+courses/German/Placement+test/C_Test-p-5814.html) |
| [University of Duisburg-Essen](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-uni-duisburg-essen) | 5 texts × 20 gaps, online in JACK3, 25 minutes | [Einstufungstests](https://www.uni-due.de/iwis/einstufungstests.php) |
| Heidelberg University (ISZ) | 5 texts × 20 gaps; only once, 35 minutes | [Online-Einstufungstest](https://www.isz.uni-heidelberg.de/de/online-einstufungstest-vdk) |
| [University of Bayreuth](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-uni-bayreuth) | 5 texts × 20 gaps, then a short oral part, 35 minutes | [Einstufungstest - Sprachenzentrum - Universität Bayreuth](https://www.sz.uni-bayreuth.de/de/pruefungen-und-zertifikate/einstufungstest/index.html) |
| [University of Hohenheim](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-uni-hohenheim) | 5 texts; German on site in the Mediothek only, 25 minutes | [Einstufungstest (C-Test): Universität Hohenheim](https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/sprachenzentrum-sprachpruefungen-c-test) |
| FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg | C-Test in a language lab; result valid for one year, 40 minutes | [Einstufung für die studienbegleitenden Deutschkurse](https://sz.fau.de/abteilung-deutsch-als-fremdsprache/kursangebot-deutsch/daf-studienbegleitende-kurse/daf-einstufung-fuer-die-studienbegleitenden-deutschkurse/) |
| [Free University of Berlin](https://ctestprep.de/en/onset-german) | onSET-Deutsch: 8 texts × 20 gaps, 40 minutes | [Die Einstufung mit onSET-Deutsch](https://www.sprachenzentrum.fu-berlin.de/sprachangebot/sprachen/deutsch/kurse/vorkurse/zugangsvoraussetzung/einstufung_onSET/index.html) |
| University of Marburg | 5 short gap texts in ILIAS, after a questionnaire | [Placement Procedure: Intensive Courses](https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/language-center/languages/german/intensive-courses-placement) |
| University of Rostock | mostly a C-Test, 4 or 5 texts; valid for one semester for German | [Einstufungstests - Sprachenzentrum - Universität Rostock](https://www.sprachenzentrum.uni-rostock.de/kursteilnahme/einstufungstests/einstufungstests/) |
| University of Cologne | C-Test by link, levels A2 to C1 | [Department German as a Foreign Language (DaF)](https://uni-koeln.de/en/studying-teaching/international/study-in-cologne/department-german-as-a-foreign-language) |
| University of Göttingen | C-Test of the German as a Foreign Language department | [Muster-Einstufungstest](https://uni-goettingen.de/de/588821.html) |
| University of Erfurt | onSET at a PC, twice a year at the start of term | [Kurse und Prüfungen](https://www.uni-erfurt.de/index.php?id=3625) |
| University of Siegen | onSET in C-Test format, German or English | [onSET Test](https://www.uni-siegen.de/en/language-center/tests/onset) |

## Entrance tests: Studienkolleg and DSH course (8)

| Where | What the page says | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TU Dresden, DSH preparatory course | 4 to 6 texts; ranked by score, limited places, 30 minutes (page from 2016) | [C-Test](https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/slk/lsk/a-z/ProPaed/c-test) |
| TU Darmstadt Studienkolleg | C-Test for all applicants, at least B1, 40 minutes | [Admissions procedure for T courses and G courses](https://www.stk.tu-darmstadt.de/schwerpunktkurse_stk/gkurs_stk/aufnahmeverfahren_gkurs_stk/index.en.jsp) |
| Frankfurt Studienkolleg | electronic C-Test on site; can be repeated twice at most | [Aufnahmetest FSP](https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/43663322/Aufnahmetest_FSP) |
| Lower Saxony Studienkolleg, Hannover | German C-Test for everyone, plus subject tests | [Aufnahmeverfahren für die Schwerpunktkurse](https://www.stk.uni-hannover.de/kursteilnahme/aufnahmetest) |
| Kassel Studienkolleg | German C-Test and a maths test, 40 minutes (the Studienkolleg is closing) | [Information about the admission test](https://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtung/en/studienkolleg/application-and-admittance/information-about-the-admission-test.html) |
| KIT Studienkolleg | onSET, 8 texts × 20 gaps, for the TestDaF courses, 40 minutes | [Purpose of the entrance test (Aufnahmetest)](https://www.stk.kit.edu/english/2285.php) |
| Anhalt University Studienkolleg | C-Test and a writing task, 30 minutes each, 30 minutes | [Acceptance test](https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/international/application-for-international-students/studienkolleg/acceptance-test.html) |
| Nordhausen University Studienkolleg | several C-Tests with grammar, reading and a graph task, 30 minutes | [Admission test](https://www.hs-nordhausen.de/en/international/state-university-college/entrance-test/) |

## Three German C-Tests to practise

Each text has 25 gaps, as in Magdeburg or Münster. Every answer with its explanation is under each text.

### Wohnungssuche in einer Uni-Stadt

B1

Wer zum Studium nach Deutschland kommt, muss zuerst eine Unterkunft finden. In vie___ Uni-Städten ist d___ nicht lei___, weil e___ mehr Studi___ als fr___ Zimmer gi___. Viele woh___ deshalb i___ einer Wohngeme___. Dort h___ jeder e___ eigenes Zim___, aber Kü___ und B___ teilt m___ mit d___ anderen. E___ Platz i___ Wohnheim d___ Studierendenwerks i___ meistens güns___, doch d___ Wartelisten si___ oft la___. Wer einen Platz im Wohnheim möchte, sollte sich deshalb so früh wie möglich bewerben.

### Answers and explanations: Wohnungssuche in einer Uni-Stadt

1. vielen Grammar
   "in" takes the dative for a location; plural: "in vielen Uni-Städten", ending -en.
2. das Grammar
   Demonstrative pronoun: "das" points back to the sentence before (finding a place to live). "dies" is also possible.
   Also correct: dies
3. leicht Vocabulary
   "leicht" = easy.
4. es Grammar
   "es gibt" = there is/are; "es" is a formal subject here.
5. Studierende Vocabulary
   "Studierende" = students; plural with no article after "mehr".
6. freie Grammar
   Adjective without an article in the plural: "freie Zimmer", ending -e.
7. gibt Grammar
   "es gibt": third person singular of "geben" with e → i; in the "weil" clause the verb goes to the end.
8. wohnen Grammar
   Third person plural present: "Viele wohnen", because "viele" is plural.
9. in Grammar
   "in" takes the dative for a location: "in einer Wohngemeinschaft".
10. Wohngemeinschaft Vocabulary
    "Wohngemeinschaft" (WG) = a shared flat.
11. hat Grammar
    Third person singular of "haben": "jeder hat".
12. ein Grammar
    Indefinite article: "ein eigenes Zimmer" (neuter accusative) and "Ein Platz" (masculine nominative); both forms are "ein".
13. Zimmer Vocabulary
    "Zimmer" = room. Nouns are capitalised, gaps included.
14. Küche Vocabulary
    "Küche" = kitchen.
15. Bad Vocabulary
    "Bad" = bathroom.
16. man Grammar
    "man" = one, people in general; the verb takes the third person singular: "teilt man".
17. den Grammar
    "mit" takes the dative; plural: "mit den anderen".
18. Ein Grammar
    Indefinite article: "ein eigenes Zimmer" (neuter accusative) and "Ein Platz" (masculine nominative); both forms are "ein".
19. im Grammar
    "im" = "in dem", dative for a location: "im Wohnheim".
20. des Grammar
    Genitive neuter: "des Studierendenwerks"; the noun takes -s.
21. ist Grammar
    Third person singular of "sein": "Ein Platz … ist".
22. günstiger Grammar
    Comparative of "günstig" (cheap) with -er. "günstig" is also possible.
    Also correct: günstig
23. die Grammar
    Definite article, plural nominative: "die Wartelisten".
24. sind Grammar
    Third person plural of "sein": "die Wartelisten sind".
25. lang Vocabulary
    "lang" = long; after "sein" it takes no ending.

### Das Semesterticket

B2

Mit dem Semesterbeitrag bezahlen Studierende an vielen Hochschulen auch ein Ticket für Busse und Bahnen. Dieses Semeste___ ist deut___ billiger a___ eine nor___ Monatskarte, we___ alle Studie___ der Hochs___ es geme___ finanzieren. M___ muss e___ auch da___ bezahlen, we___ man sel___ fährt. A___ vielen Hochs___ gilt e___ inzwischen i___ Nahverkehr u___ im Regiona___ in ga___ Deutschland. Fernzüge si___ allerdings ni___ eingeschlossen; da___ braucht m___ eine eig___ Fahrkarte. Wo das eigene Ticket genau gilt, erfährt man bei der Hochschule.

### Answers and explanations: Das Semesterticket

1. Semesterticket Vocabulary
   "Semesterticket" = a public transport ticket for one semester. Long compounds are split in the middle.
2. deutlich Vocabulary
   "deutlich billiger" = much cheaper.
3. als Grammar
   After a comparative German uses "als": "billiger als" (cheaper than).
4. normale Grammar
   Adjective ending after "eine", feminine nominative: "eine normale Monatskarte".
5. weil Grammar
   "weil" (because) introduces a reason; the verb goes to the end: "… finanzieren".
6. Studierenden Grammar
   After "alle", the nominalised participle ends in -en: "alle Studierenden".
7. Hochschule Grammar
   Genitive feminine: "der Hochschule"; feminine nouns take no ending.
8. gemeinsam Vocabulary
   "gemeinsam" = together.
9. Man Grammar
   "man" = one, people in general: "Man muss", "braucht man"; the verb takes the third person singular.
10. es Grammar
    Pronoun for "das Semesterticket" (neuter): accusative in "muss es bezahlen", nominative in "gilt es".
11. dann Grammar
    "auch dann …, wenn" = even if.
12. wenn Grammar
    "wenn" (if, when) introduces a condition; the verb goes to the end: "wenn man selten fährt".
13. selten Vocabulary
    "selten" = rarely.
14. An Grammar
    "an" + dative is the preposition for universities: "an vielen Hochschulen".
15. Hochschulen Grammar
    Plural of "die Hochschule" with -n: "an vielen Hochschulen".
16. es Grammar
    Pronoun for "das Semesterticket" (neuter): accusative in "muss es bezahlen", nominative in "gilt es".
17. im Grammar
    "im" = "in dem", dative: "im Nahverkehr".
18. und Grammar
    "und" joins two parallel phrases: "im Nahverkehr und im Regionalverkehr".
19. Regionalverkehr Vocabulary
    "Regionalverkehr" = regional trains and buses.
20. ganz Vocabulary
    "in ganz Deutschland" = all over Germany; before a country name "ganz" takes no article and no ending.
21. sind Grammar
    Third person plural of "sein": "Fernzüge sind … eingeschlossen" (state passive).
22. nicht Grammar
    "nicht" negates the participle: "not included".
23. dafür Vocabulary
    "dafür" = for them (the long-distance trains).
24. man Grammar
    "man" = one, people in general: "Man muss", "braucht man"; the verb takes the third person singular.
25. eigene Grammar
    Adjective ending after "eine", feminine accusative: "eine eigene Fahrkarte".

### Die Hausarbeit

C1

In vielen geistes- und sozialwissenschaftlichen Fächern schließen Studierende ein Seminar nicht mit einer Klausur, sondern mit einer schriftlichen Hausarbeit ab. Darin zei___ sie, da___ sie ei___ eingegrenzte Frages___ selbstständig bearb___ und ih___ Thesen m___ Literatur bel___ können. W___ fremde Geda___ übernimmt, mu___ die Que___ stets kenn___ machen; ander___ gilt d___ Arbeit a___ Plagiat u___ wird i___ der Re___ nicht best___. Ebenso wic___ wie d___ Inhalt i___ eine kl___ und schlü___ Gliederung. Wer rechtzeitig beginnt, hat am Ende genug Zeit, den Text sorgfältig zu überarbeiten.

### Answers and explanations: Die Hausarbeit

1. zeigen Grammar
   Third person plural present: the subject "sie" is the students.
2. dass Grammar
   The conjunction "dass" (that), spelt with ss; the verb goes to the end ("… können").
3. eine Grammar
   Indefinite article, feminine accusative: "eine eingegrenzte Fragestellung".
4. Fragestellung Vocabulary
   "Fragestellung" = research question.
5. bearbeiten Vocabulary
   "bearbeiten" = work on, address; infinitive before the modal "können".
6. ihre Grammar
   Possessive "ihr" (their), accusative plural: "ihre Thesen".
7. mit Grammar
   "mit" takes the dative: "mit Literatur belegen" (support with sources).
8. belegen Vocabulary
   "belegen" = support with evidence.
9. Wer Grammar
   Generalising relative pronoun: "Wer …, muss …" = whoever …
10. Gedanken Grammar
    Plural of "der Gedanke" (thought): "fremde Gedanken".
11. muss Grammar
    Modal verb "müssen", third person singular: "muss", no umlaut.
12. Quelle Vocabulary
    "Quelle" = source.
13. kenntlich Vocabulary
    "kenntlich machen" = mark, indicate clearly.
14. andernfalls Vocabulary
    "andernfalls" = otherwise.
15. die Grammar
    Definite article, feminine nominative: "die Arbeit" is the subject.
16. als Grammar
    "gelten als" = count as: "gilt als Plagiat".
17. und Grammar
    "und" joins two verbs with the same subject: "gilt … und wird …".
18. in Grammar
    Fixed phrase "in der Regel" = as a rule.
19. Regel Vocabulary
    "in der Regel" = usually, as a rule.
20. bestanden Grammar
    Past participle of "bestehen" (pass) in the passive with "werden": "wird nicht bestanden".
21. wichtig Vocabulary
    "ebenso wichtig wie" = just as important as.
22. der Grammar
    Definite article, masculine nominative: "der Inhalt"; after "wie" the case matches "eine … Gliederung".
23. ist Grammar
    "sein" in the third person singular, in second position; the subject is "eine … Gliederung".
24. klare Grammar
    Adjective ending after "eine", feminine nominative: "eine klare … Gliederung".
25. schlüssige Grammar
    "schlüssig" = logical, coherent; ending -e as with "klare".

## How to practise for the German C-Test

- Watch articles and endings: in German, the case often decides whether a gap is right.
- Read the sentence to the verb at the end before you fill a gap; the verb bracket tells you the tense and the meaning.
- Give yourself 5 minutes per text, as at FU Berlin or in Hannover.

[onSET-Deutsch: format and two more practice texts →](https://ctestprep.de/en/onset-german)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the German C-Test the same as onSET-Deutsch?

onSET-Deutsch is one specific C-Test by g.a.s.t., with 20 gaps per text. Many universities use their own C-Tests, such as Münster with 4 texts and 100 gaps or Magdeburg with 5 texts of 25 gaps.

### Do I need the C-Test for a Studienkolleg?

At several Studienkollegs, yes: Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel and KIT name a C-Test in their entrance test. Check your Studienkolleg’s page; the rules differ.

### Are nouns cut in the German C-Test too?

Yes. The rule applies to every second word, nouns included. The start of the word with its capital letter is given; you complete the rest.

[English: which placement test at which university →](https://ctestprep.de/en/english-placement-test-universities)