# Faust Academy

## Goethe vs DSH: German for your university place

URL: https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-vs-dsh
Language: en
Updated: 2026-09-25

A DSH with the overall result DSH-2 counts as proof of German for every study programme at German universities. For DSH-2 you need at least 67 percent in both the written and the oral exam. The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 exempts you from the DSH.

The DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) is a university exam. Universities and state recognised Studienkollegs set and run it under their own exam rules, which follow a model set by the HRK and KMK. The Goethe-Zertifikat is a general German exam from the Goethe-Institut, with one certificate per level.

Both routes are in the RO-DT, the framework for German exams for university study. The DSH is one of the main proofs. The Goethe-Zertifikat C2 is on the list of exams that exempt you from the proof.

Faust has 48 Goethe C1 and 48 Goethe C2 practice papers. Faust has no DSH papers. One scored online paper per part is free, and every PDF is free.

### Goethe and DSH side by side

DSH values come from the RO-DT and its model exam rules.

| Detail | Goethe-Zertifikat C1 and C2 | DSH |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Set by | Goethe-Institut | The university or Studienkolleg that offers it, with exam rules registered by the HRK |
| Parts | Four modules: Lesen, Hören, Schreiben and Sprechen | A written exam (Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen with wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen, Textproduktion) and an oral exam |
| Result | Points per module, pass with 60 of 100 | DSH-1, DSH-2 or DSH-3 as the overall result, with the result of each part |
| Levels | One level per exam | DSH-1: 57 percent, DSH-2: 67 percent, DSH-3: 82 percent, each in both the written and the oral exam |
| University rule (RO-DT) | C2 exempts you from the proof. C1 counts where the university accepts it | DSH-2 counts for every study programme. A university can ask for DSH-1 or DSH-3 for some programmes |
| Split the exam | Yes, modules alone or together | No. Both exams at the same place in one exam period. The oral exam is compulsory |
| Retake | As often as you want | Allowed. The local exam rules set the details |
| Exam mode | At a test centre, on paper or on Goethe-Institut laptops | The written exam can be electronic on site. The oral exam can be online where the university offers both forms |
| Faust practice papers | 48 for C1, 48 for C2 | None |

### How the DSH is scored

The written DSH has three parts: Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen with wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen, and Textproduktion. For the written result, Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen, the Strukturen tasks and Textproduktion count in the ratio 2 to 2 to 1 to 2. You pass the written exam with 57 percent. You pass the oral exam with 57 percent.

The overall result then depends on your weaker exam. DSH-1 needs 57 percent in both exams, DSH-2 needs 67 percent in both, and DSH-3 needs 82 percent in both. So 90 percent in the written exam and 60 percent in the oral exam gives DSH-1.

DSH-2 is the general standard for university entry. A university can set DSH-1 for some programmes. An admission with DSH-1 then does not carry over to another programme at the same university, or to another university, where other language rules apply.

### Which route fits which goal

- You already know which university you want: ask that university which proofs it takes.
- You want to apply to several universities: the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 exempts you at every German university under the RO-DT. The Goethe-Institut states that many universities also accept Goethe C1 or B2.
- You want to sit the exam before you travel: the DSH takes place at the German university or Studienkolleg that offers it. Goethe exams take place at Goethe test centres.
- You want to test skill by skill: Goethe modules can be taken alone. The DSH must be taken as one exam in one exam period.

### How to prepare

Each DSH follows its own local exam rules, so ask the university for its model paper. The skills match the Goethe C1 and C2 modules: academic reading, listening to a lecture, writing a structured text and speaking on a set topic.

The DSH also has a part on wissenschaftssprachliche Strukturen, the grammar of academic texts. Goethe C1 and C2 have no separate grammar part, so plan extra time for it if you take the DSH.

### Practise academic German

- [Goethe C1 practice papers](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-c1-modelltest)
- [Goethe C2 practice papers](https://www.faustacademy.com/goethe-c2-modelltest)
- [Placement test](https://www.faustacademy.com/placement)

### Questions

**Is DSH-2 the same as C1?**

The RO-DT does not set DSH levels equal to CEFR levels. It defines DSH-2 by the percent you reach: 67 percent in both the written and the oral exam. DSH-2 counts for every study programme.

**Does Goethe C2 replace the DSH?**

Yes. Under the RO-DT, holders of the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 are exempt from the proof of German for study.

**Does Goethe C1 replace the DSH?**

Only at universities that accept it. The Goethe-Institut states that many universities accept Goethe C1 or B2. Each university decides, so check with yours.

**What do I need for DSH-2?**

At least 67 percent in the written exam and at least 67 percent in the oral exam.

**Can I take the DSH online?**

The written exam can be electronic, but on site. The oral exam can be an online exam where the university offers it, and then it must also offer the oral exam on site on the same dates.

**Does Faust have DSH papers?**

No. Faust has Goethe papers from A1 to C2, 288 in total, and TestDaF papers. Faust is independent practice and not a product of the Goethe-Institut.

### Sources

- [HRK and KMK: RO-DT, framework rules for German exams for university study, version of 27 November 2025](https://www.testdaf.de/fileadmin/testdaf/downloads/Dokumente/2004_06_25-RO_DT.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut: Anerkennung der Goethe-Zertifikate zum Studium, Stand Mai 2026](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/anerkennung-goethe-zertifikat_B2-C2.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut: Durchführungsbestimmungen B1, Stand 1. September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Durchfuehrungsbestimmungen_B1.pdf)
- [Goethe-Institut: Deutschprüfungen A1 bis C2](https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/prf.html)
- [Goethe-Institut: Prüfungsordnung, Stand 1. September 2025](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Pruefungsordnung.pdf)