English language test (DAAD, Erasmus etc.)

FAQ


Who is this language test aimed at?

The language test is mainly aimed at students and employees of KIT who need a current certification of their English language skills for one of the following reasons:
- Semester abroad or exchange semester (e.g. ERASMUS)
- Internships abroad (incl. visa)
- Applications for degree programs (e.g. Master's programs) at other universities
- Research stays and scholarships
- Various programs in the context of continuing professional development

Please note! This is NOT the placement test for the English courses!

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I have already completed an English course or test. Do I still have to take the language test?

Students who need a completed DAAD form or proof for a visa or similar must take the test in order to assess their current foreign language level. Participation in a course or a school leaving certificate is not sufficient.

Students who need to prove that they have successfully completed an English course at the Language Center use their grade transcript from the Campus Management System.

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When and where does the language test take place?

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The language tests usually take place every two weeks on Thursdays from 09:00 to 11:15 in the Multimedia Center of building 08.03 (Karl-Friedrich-Str. 17). The Multimedia Center (MMZ) is located in the basement.

IMPORTANT FOR APPLICANTS OF EXCHANGE PROGRAMS (ERASMUS, AIESEC ETC): Please note that the number of participants per test run is limited to 8 participants. It is therefore recommended that you take the language test early so that you can meet your application deadlines.


How can I register for the language test?

Registration takes place via ILIAS. To register online for a language test, please log in to ILIAS, click on the desired date and click on "Join".
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, it happens from time to time that some participants register for a test date, but then cancel at short notice or do not show up for the test date. Especially when demand is high, we want to make the most of the already limited number of places and guarantee a fair test procedure. So before you register, please note the following points:

1. your registration for the English language test on ILIAS is binding, which means that we reserve the right to charge you the test fee (€35) if you do not show up. If you fall ill at short notice, we reserve the right to request a doctor's certificate.

2. although it is technically possible on ILIAS, we cannot accept multiple registrations. You may therefore only register for one of the upcoming test dates. Exception: the waiting list (see points 3 and 4)

3. if you are on the waiting list for a test date and then move up, you will be informed of your participation by e-mail to your ILIAS account. This may happen at short notice. We therefore recommend that you check your SCC account email inbox regularly until the test date and be prepared for the possibility that someone will cancel their registration and you will subsequently be allocated a place. The following also applies here: Your registration is binding - even if you are initially "only" on the waiting list!

4. if you have only been allocated a place on the waiting list after registering, you are free to register for another test date. Very important: However, as soon as you have moved up for one of the registered test dates and/or have a secure place, your other registrations will be deleted without warning.

5 It is possible to withdraw from the language test. You can withdraw your participation up to two working days before the language test. This time limit is necessary in order to ensure that the participation place can be passed on.

IMPORTANT: Willful disregard of these points can lead to temporary exclusion from the language test.

Dates and registration (only for KIT students/employees)

If you have any problems, please contact the test coordinator Kevin Neuner directly by e-mail.


How much does the language test cost and how do I pay for it?

The fee for taking the test is €35. The fee must be transferred to the account below by the test date. Cash payment is not possible.

IMPORTANT: To prove your payment (or bank transfer), you must present a confirmation of your bank transfer on the day of the test. This can be a printout of your transfer order or your bank statement. The printout must clearly show that the test fee has been transferred to KIT.

Please transfer the test fee (35€) to the following KIT account by your test date:

Recipient: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Bank: Deutsche Bundesbank Branch Karlsruhe
IBAN: DE 5766 0000 0000 6600 1508
BIC: MARK DE F1660
Purpose: XD1022708636423192 Name, DAAD language test + language

Please make sure that all data in your transfer is correct, especially the purpose of payment, otherwise it will not be possible to allocate your payment.

What does the test involve and what is the procedure?

In order to comprehensively evaluate the participants' current English language skills, the language test consists of three parts:

Part I: Grammar and reading comprehension (duration: 30 minutes)
Participants complete a series of various tasks, such as cloze texts and comprehension questions on given texts.

Part II: Writing (duration: 30 minutes)
Participants write a formal and academically correct 300-word essay on a given but general topic.

Part III: Speaking (duration: approx. 15 minutes)
For the oral part of the exam, participants are confronted with a general topic, which they discuss among themselves in the group.

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Which language certificate is required?

The format of the language certificate depends on the intended use of the certificate. Most participants take the test in order to apply for an exchange program (Erasmus, AIESEC etc.) or DAAD scholarship abroad and therefore have a standard DAAD language certificate issued.

However, this may vary from case to case. Some participants require a language certificate for other institutions (e.g. German-American Chamber of Commerce, visa authorities or placement agencies for internships), which often have their own form and would like to have this issued.

If in doubt, please contact your exchange coordinator or your host university to find out what type of language certificate is required. Please bring a printed copy of the language certificate you require with you to the exam.

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When are the test results available and when do I receive the language certificate?

The test results are usually available within a week. More detailed information will be provided by the examiner on the day of the language test.
If you wish, you can also have the language certificate sent to you by post. Please bring a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope (e.g. DIN A5 format with a €1.80 stamp) with you to the exam.

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What do I need to bring to the exam?

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- A printout of the language certificate you need (e.g. DAAD language certificate).
- The KIT student or employee ID card (for KIT external students: ID card, driver's license or similar).
- A printout of the transfer order or bank statement.


How can I prepare for the test?

As the test determines the current level of English skills and there is no "pass" or "fail", it is up to each participant how much or how intensively they prepare for the test. Based on the content (see above), each participant should be aware of how and on what they will be tested:

For the first part, you should know the basics of English grammar (e.g. tenses, prepositions etc.) and be able to answer questions on the given text

For the written part, you should know how to write a 300-word essay in a formal and academically correct style

For the oral part of the speaking test, you should be able to discuss general topics in the round (e.g. how to express your own views, provide arguments and their justifications, respond to the arguments of others, etc.).

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Is it possible or does it make sense to repeat the test?

There is no "pass" or "fail" on the test: i.e. the test result will depend on how "good" or "bad" your current level of knowledge is. In principle, it is possible to retake the test, but you have to ask yourself whether your level of English has improved to such an extent within two or more weeks that it is worth repeating the test. In addition, each test costs €35 - regardless of whether the test result has changed.


I am not studying or working at KIT. Can I still take the language test?

Since the language tests are mainly for KIT students and employees, they are prioritized when taking the test. However, it often happens that tests are not fully booked, so that the remaining places can be taken by people from outside KIT. As our system does not support online registration for external KIT members, they must register by e-mail.

Please send an e-mail with the relevant data to the test coordinator Mr. Neuner, so that you can be put on the waiting list for KIT externals. Your e-mail should contain the following information:
- Last name, first name
- Telephone number where you can be reached
- Desired test date or by when you need the language certificate

If you are able to take the language test, you will be contacted by e-mail 3 - 4 days before the test (usually Thursday or Friday before the Monday of the test) to confirm your participation. If you have not received an e-mail by the Friday afternoon before the test, there is unfortunately no place available for you. If you then wish to participate again for the next test date, please confirm this by sending another e-mail to the test coordinator.

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Who can I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact

Kevin Neuner
Building 08.03, 1st floor, room 106
e-mail
Phone 0721 - 608-47413

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