TELC vs DSH: Exam Pattern, Difficulty, Cost & Which Is Better?

TELC and DSH are German language exams. Both can show your German skills. But they are not the same.

TELC vs DSH: Quick Comparison

What Is the TELC German Exam?

What Is the DSH Exam?

The DSH exam is a German language test. It is mainly for students who want to study in Germany. The exam checks how well you know German.

It checks:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

You may need DSH if your university course is in German.

Why Do Students Take the DSH Exam?

Students take DSH to show their German skills. It can help them meet the language requirement of a university.

Students may need German to:

• Understand classes.
• Read books.
• Write answers.
• Talk to teachers.
• Talk to other students.

Who Can Take the DSH Exam?

The DSH exam is mainly for international students. It is for students who want to study at a university in Germany.

You may need it if:

• Your course is in German.
• Your university asks for DSH.
• You need to show your German level.

What Is in the DSH Exam?

The exam has different parts.

1. Reading

• Read a German text.
• Answer questions.

2. Listening

• Listen to German.
• Answer questions.

3. Writing

• Get a topic.
• Write about it.

4. Speaking

• Speak in German.
• Answer questions.

What Are the DSH Levels?

There are three levels:

• DSH-1
• DSH-2
• DSH-3

DSH-1 – basic result.

DSH-2 – good result.

DSH-3 – very good result.

Many universities ask for DSH-2.

How to Prepare for DSH?

You can practise every day.

• Read German.
• Listen to German.
• Learn new words.
• Learn grammar.
• Write in German.
• Speak German.
• Practise sample questions.
• Take mock tests.

TELC vs DSH: Exam Pattern

TELC and DSH are both German language exams. Both exams check your German skills. But their exam pattern is not the same.

TELC Exam Pattern

TELC has different parts.

The main parts are:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

In some TELC exams, grammar and vocabulary are also checked.

Reading

• Read German texts.
• Find answers.
• Choose the right answer.

Listening

• Listen to German.
• Understand the information.
• Answer questions.

Writing

• Get a topic.
• Write a short text.
• Share your ideas.

Speaking

• Talk in German.
• Answer questions.
• Speak with another person.

DSH Exam Pattern

DSH also checks your German skills. It has written and speaking parts.

The main areas are:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Language skills

Reading

• Read a German text.
• Understand the text.
• Answer questions.

Listening

• Listen to German.
• Understand the main points.
• Answer questions.

Writing

• Get a topic.
• Write about it.
• Explain your ideas.

Speaking

• Talk about a topic.
• Answer questions.
• Speak in German.

TELC vs DSH: Simple Difference

TELC vs DSH: Difficulty Level

TELC and DSH are both German exams. The difficulty depends on your German level. Some levels are easy. Some levels need more German skills.

TELC Difficulty

TELC has many levels.

• A1
• A2
• B1
• B2
• C1
• C2

The lower levels are easier. The higher levels are harder.

A1 and A2

• Use easy German.
• Have simple questions.
• Need basic words.

B1 and B2

• Need better German.
• Have longer texts.
• Need more writing and speaking.

C1 and C2

• Need very good German.
• Use harder texts.
• Need strong language skills.

DSH Difficulty

DSH is mainly for university study. So, it needs good German skills.

You may need to:

• Read German texts.
• Listen to German.
• Write in German.
• Speak in German.
• Understand study topics.

DSH has three levels:

• DSH-1
• DSH-2
• DSH-3

DSH-1

• Lower level.
• Needs basic German skills.

DSH-2

• Needs good German.
• It is commonly required by universities.

DSH-3

• Higher level.
• Needs very good German.

Which One Is Harder?

There is no fixed answer. It depends on the level.

• TELC A1 is easier.
• TELC B2 needs more practice.
• TELC C1 needs strong German.
• DSH needs German for university study.

TELC vs DSH: Reading, Listening, Writing & Speaking

TELC and DSH both check your German skills.

Both exams have:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

But the questions and tasks can be different.

TELC Reading

In the TELC exam:

• You read German texts.
• You read short information.
• You answer questions.
• You choose the right answer.
• You find important details.

The questions depend on the TELC level. Higher levels have harder texts.

DSH Reading

In DSH:

• You read German texts.
• The texts can be longer.
• You find important information.
• You answer questions.
• You show that you understand the text.

The reading is mainly linked to university-level German.

TELC Listening

In TELC:

• You listen to German.
• You listen to talks or conversations.
• You answer questions.
• You find the needed information.

The listening task becomes harder at higher levels.

DSH Listening

In DSH:

• You listen to German.
• You may listen to a talk or lecture.
• You take note of important points.
• You answer questions.
• You show that you understood what you heard.

TELC Writing

In TELC:

• You get a writing task.
• You write about the given topic.
• You share your ideas.
• You use simple and clear German.

The task changes with the TELC level.

DSH Writing

In DSH:

• You get a topic or information.
• You write about it.
• You explain your ideas.
• You need clear German.
• You may need to describe or discuss information.

The writing is linked to academic German.

TELC Speaking

In TELC:

• You speak in German.
• You may talk with another person.
• You answer questions.
• You talk about a given topic.
• You share your ideas.

The speaking task depends on the level.

DSH Speaking

In DSH:

• You speak in German.
• You may get a topic.
• You answer questions.
• You explain your ideas.
• You show that you can speak clearly.

Simple Difference

TELC vs DSH: Cost, Results & Validity

TELC and DSH both give you a German language certificate. But their cost, result time, and certificate rules can be different.

TELC Exam Cost

The TELC exam does not have one fixed price.

The price can change based on:

• Exam level.
• Exam centre.
• Country.
• Type of exam.

So, check the price with your chosen TELC exam centre.

DSH Exam Cost

DSH also does not have one fixed price. The fee can be different at each university or exam centre. So, check the fee before booking your DSH exam.

TELC Results

After the exam:

• Your answers are checked.
• You get your result.
• If you pass, you get a certificate.
• If you do not pass, you get a result sheet.

TELC now also provides digital certificates for many exams.

DSH Results

After the DSH exam:

• Your exam is checked.
• You get your result.
• You receive a DSH certificate if you pass.
• The result shows your DSH level.

The result can be DSH-1, DSH-2, or DSH-3.

TELC Certificate Validity

A TELC certificate does not have a fixed expiry date. But this does not mean every place will accept an old certificate.

The:

• University
• Employer
• Government office

may decide how old a certificate they will accept.

DSH Certificate Validity

A DSH certificate also does not simply have one fixed expiry period for every purpose. The university or organisation can decide what it accepts.

So, always check the rules of the place where you want to use your certificate.

Simple Difference

TELC vs DSH for Studying in Germany

TELC and DSH are German language exams. Both can help students study in Germany. But they are a little different.

TELC for Study

TELC has many German exams. For university study, telc C1 Hochschule is important.

It checks:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

It tests German used in university. You can use it for admission if your university accepts it.

DSH for Study

DSH is mainly for university students. It checks your German skills.

It checks:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

DSH has:

• DSH-1
• DSH-2
• DSH-3

Many universities ask for DSH-2.

Which One Is Better?

Both can be good. It depends on your university.

Choose TELC if:

• Your university accepts TELC.
• You want telc C1 Hochschule.
• You like the TELC exam.

Choose DSH if:

• Your university accepts DSH.
• You want a university German exam.
• You like the DSH exam.

TELC vs DSH: Which Exam Should You Choose?

TELC and DSH are both German exams. Both can help you show your German level. But the right exam depends on your goal.

Choose TELC If

TELC may be a good choice if:

• You want a German certificate.
• Your university accepts TELC.
• You want telc C1 Hochschule for university study.
• You like the TELC exam pattern.
• You want to take an exam at an approved TELC centre.

Choose DSH If

DSH may be a good choice if:

• You want to study in Germany.
• Your university accepts DSH.
• You want an exam made for university study.
• You are comfortable with the DSH pattern.
• You need DSH-2 for your course.

Check Your University First

Before choosing an exam, check your university website.

Look for:

• Accepted German exams.
• Required German level.
• Required certificate.
• Application rules.

This is important because every university may have different rules.

TELC or DSH: Simple Choice

Which One Is Easier?

There is no single answer.

It depends on:

• Your German level.
• Your practice.
• The exam level.
• The type of questions.

Choose the exam that matches your university and your German skills.

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Conclusion

TELC and DSH are both useful German language exams. Both can help you study in Germany. TELC has different levels and exam types. DSH is mainly for university study. Your choice depends on your university and course.

Before choosing an exam, check:

• Which exam your university accepts.
• Which level you need.
• Which exam you feel comfortable with.

With good practice, you can prepare well for either exam. Choose the exam that is right for your study plan and start your preparation with confidence.

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