--- title: "onSET-English: format, points and a practice text · C-Test Prep" description: "The onSET-English is a g.a.s.t. English C-Test: texts with 20 gaps each, up to 160 points, 40 minutes at most, A2 to C1. With a practice text and a comparison." canonical: https://ctestprep.de/en/onset-english last_updated: 2026-10-29 --- # onSET-English: format, points and a practice text The onSET also comes in English: the onSET-English is a C-Test like the language centres’ placement tests, with its own structure. Here is what g.a.s.t. publishes, how it differs from the university C-Test, and a text with 20 gaps to practise. Last checked: 29 October 2026 C-Test Prep is independent and not part of g.a.s.t. Dates and rules can change; onset.de is always authoritative. ## Key facts | What | An online placement test in C-Test format, in German (onSET-Deutsch) or English (onSET-English) (Source: [onSET: Über den onSET](https://www.onset.de/de/home/ueber-onset/)) | | --- | --- | | Run by | g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung e. V.) (Source: [onSET: Über den onSET](https://www.onset.de/de/home/ueber-onset/)) | | Structure | several short texts on different topics, 20 gaps each, getting harder; every candidate gets their own set (Source: [onSET: Über den onSET](https://www.onset.de/de/home/ueber-onset/)) | | Time | 40 minutes at most (Source: [onSET: Informationen für Teilnehmende](https://www.onset.de/home/teilnehmende/)) | | Points | one point per correctly completed gap, 160 points at most (Source: [onSET: Beispieltest](https://www.onset.de/home/beispieltest-onset-online-spracheinstufungstest/)) | | Level | a CEFR level from A2 to C1 (Source: [onSET: Informationen für Teilnehmende](https://www.onset.de/home/teilnehmende/)) | | Where | at a g.a.s.t. test centre; register in the participant portal, then choose a centre, a date and the language (Source: [onSET: Informationen für Teilnehmende](https://www.onset.de/home/teilnehmende/)) | | Result | right after the test; the certificate is a PDF in the participant portal (Source: [onSET: Informationen für Teilnehmende](https://www.onset.de/home/teilnehmende/)) | | Sample test | official and free, four slightly easier texts, as often as you like (Source: [onSET: Beispieltest](https://www.onset.de/home/beispieltest-onset-online-spracheinstufungstest/)) | At 20 gaps per text and 160 points at most, that makes eight texts, so with 40 minutes at most about five minutes per text. ## The onSET-English and the university C-Test - Both are C-Tests: parts of words are missing in short texts, and every correct gap is one point. - The University of Münster C-Test has 4 texts with 100 gaps in 25 minutes. The onSET-English has texts with 20 gaps each, up to 160 points and 40 minutes at most. - You take the language centre’s C-Test at your university. You take the onSET at a g.a.s.t. test centre and get a PDF certificate. - The texts on C-Test Prep have 25 gaps like many university tests; the practice text below has 20 gaps like an onSET text. ## How to prepare - Take the official onSET-English sample test on onset.de so you know the interface and the flow. - Practise against the clock: about five minutes per text. - For every mistake, note whether it is grammar (endings, tenses, plurals) or vocabulary. Grammar mistakes repeat. - The English texts on C-Test Prep run from B1 to C1, across the range the onSET places you in. ## One practice text with 20 gaps Our own text in C-Test format, free and with no sign-up. Capital letters count; British and American spellings are both correct here. ### Studying abroad B2 Every year, thousands of students apply for a scholarship to spend a semester at a university abroad. Most progr___ ask f___ proof o___ language ski___, and ma___ applicants fi___ out la___ which te___ they ne___. A short plac___ test c___ be eno___ when t___ host unive___ teaches i___ English, but so___ scholarships req___ a certificate a___ a fixed le___. So ch___ early. A few weeks of practice make a real difference to the result. ### Answers and explanations: Studying abroad 1. programmes Vocabulary "programmes" = study programmes; American "programs" is also correct. Also correct: programs 2. for Grammar "ask for" = request. 3. of Grammar "proof of" = evidence of. 4. skills Vocabulary "language skills"; plural with -s. 5. many Grammar "many" goes with countable plural nouns: "many applicants". 6. find Grammar "find out" = discover; present plural without -s after "applicants". 7. late Vocabulary "late" as an adverb; it takes no -ly here. 8. test Vocabulary "test" = exam. 9. need Grammar "which test they need": present plural without -s. 10. placement Vocabulary "placement test" = a test that sets your level. 11. can Grammar Modal verb "can" + infinitive without "to": "can be". 12. enough Vocabulary "enough" = sufficient. 13. the Grammar Definite article: "the host university". 14. university Vocabulary "host university" = the university you go to. 15. in Grammar "teach in English": "in" before the language. 16. some Grammar "some scholarships" = not all of them. 17. require Vocabulary "require" = demand; plural without -s. 18. at Grammar "at a fixed level": "at" before a level. 19. level Vocabulary "level" = standard, grade. 20. check Grammar Imperative: "So check early". **Want to keep practising?** The English Pass (€12) has 10 English texts from B1 to C1 and a timed simulation with 100 gaps. 14-day money-back guarantee. [See the Pass →](https://ctestprep.de/en/pricing) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is this the official onSET? No. C-Test Prep is independent and not part of g.a.s.t. The practice texts are our own texts in C-Test format. Registration, dates and results are only on onset.de. ### How many points do I need? The university or programme that asks for the onSET decides. g.a.s.t. maps your result to a CEFR level from A2 to C1; which level is enough is in your institution’s requirements. ### Can I take the onSET from home? According to onset.de, the onSET takes place at a g.a.s.t. test centre. You register in the participant portal and choose a centre, a date and the language there. ### When do I get my result? Right after the test. You can download the certificate as a PDF from the participant portal at any time afterwards. [The English C-Test at universities →](https://ctestprep.de/en/c-test-english)