The Digital Master Test (dMAT) is not required by every German university as of 2026. It is currently used for admission to specific Master's programmes at RWTH Aachen University and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. Apart from this, from the Summer Semester 2027 intake, eligible Indian students applying for a masters in Germany will need to take the General Academic Module as part of their APS process.
If you are planning to study for a masters in Germany, it is important to know whether your chosen university and programme use the dMAT and which module you need to take. The requirement can be different for university admission and APS verification, so checking the details early can help you plan your application properly.
In the sections below, you can find more details about the German universities accepting dMAT, the required modules, important dates, and other application requirements.
Which German Universities Accept the dMAT in 2026?
ThedMAT exam is currently used for admission to specific Master's programmes at RWTH Aachen University and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. If you are applying to one of these programmes, the dMAT subject module you take depends on your field of study.
These modules check your subject knowledge and your ability to apply what you have learned to relevant questions.
RWTH Aachen University
At RWTH Aachen University, the dMAT is used for the MSc Battery Science and Technology in Engineering.
Since this programme brings together different areas of science and engineering, students can take a subject module in the field relevant to their academic background.
The subject modules currently listed for this programme are:
Chemistry
Physics
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
The subject module focuses on knowledge that is relevant to the chosen field and tests how well you can apply that knowledge. The current dMAT subject modules are conducted in English, and the questions are presented in a single-choice format.
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
At Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, the dMAT is used for the MSc Data Science programme. Here, the relevant subject module is Data Science, so the test focuses specifically on the knowledge and application skills needed for Master's-level study in this field.
The module follows the same basic format as the other current subject modules. It is conducted digitally at a test centre appointed by g.a.s.t., and the current subject modules are available in English.
These examples show that the dMAT is not a single subject test for every Master's applicant. The subject module depends on the programme and field of study, while the use of the result is decided as part of the relevant admission process.
The next section looks at a separate part of the process: when the dMAT is required for APS verification for eligible Indian students.
Is dMAT Required for APS for German Universities?
Yes, the dMAT is required for the APS verification process for certain Indian students applying for Masters in Germany.
This requirement applies from the Summer Semester 2027 onwards and is separate from the way individual universities may use dMAT for admission.
Who Needs the dMAT for APS?
The requirement applies to eligible Indian students whose previous Bachelor's degree is in one of the academic areas covered by the current APS rules, including:
Engineering
Commerce, Accounting, Finance and Economics
Business and Management
There are also specific exemptions and transitional provisions. For example, students who already have an APS certificate or meet certain other conditions may not be required to take the dMAT.
dMAT for APS vs University Admission
The dMAT requirement depends on why you are taking the test. For APS verification, eligible Indian students need to take the General Academic Module as part of the APS process. For university admission, the requirement can be different, as some universities may ask applicants to take a subject-specific dMAT module related to their Master's programme.
In simple terms, the General Academic Module is used for the APS process, while subject modules are used for admission to specific programmes. So, the module you need to take depends on your academic background and the purpose of your dMAT application.
With the APS requirement clear, the next thing to check is when you need to register for and take the dMAT as part of your Germany application.
Important dMAT Dates for German University Applications
If you are planning to apply to a German university that uses the dMAT, keep the test dates in mind while planning your application. The 2026 dMAT cycle is mainly relevant for students preparing for the Summer Semester 2027 intake or later.
Here are the important dMAT dates for 2026:
dMAT Event
dMAT Timeline
Registration Opened
June 29, 2026
Registration Deadline
September 15, 2026
Official dMAT Exam Date
September 26, 2026
Online Certificate Availability
October 12, 2026
If you plan to use your dMAT score for a German university application, make sure you complete the test within the given timeline. It is also useful to leave enough time between receiving your certificate and your university application deadline.
The next dMAT test is planned for Q1 2027, but the exact date has not been announced yet. Check the official dMAT schedule before planning your application.
Once you know which German universities currently accept the dMAT, the next step is to understand how they use your test results during the admission process.
The results of the dMAT are assessed by the individual German universities in their admission process.
Your dMAT certificate will have a standardised score between 0 and 200 and a percentile rank. The mean score is 100, and the percentile indicates the position that you take in relation to others who took the test.
For instance, if your dMAT score is in the 70th percentile, then 70% of the students who took this test scored at or below 70%.
The percentile rank can be used to establish the selection criteria for universities. That's why no single dMAT score or percentile can be applied to alluniversities in Germany or Master's programmes.
What Is a Good dMAT Score for German Universities?
There is no universal score that can be called “good” for every programme. However, you can use the mean score of 100 as a simple reference point:
dMAT Score
General Interpretation
0–99
Below the mean
100
Mean score
101–200
Above the mean
These are not university admission cut-offs. A score above 100 does not guarantee admission, as each university can apply its own selection criteria.
Indian applicants, please note: Before applying, check how your chosen Master's programme uses the dMAT result and whether it specifies a particular score or percentile requirement.
What Should You Check Before Applying to a German University?
Before applying to a German university, check whether you need the dMAT, which module applies to you, and how it fits into your APS and university application.
Before you apply, make sure you have checked the following:
1. Check Your Bachelor's Field
The dMAT requirement for APS applies to eligible Indian students whose Bachelor's degree falls under fields such as:
Engineering
Commerce, Accounting, Finance and Economics
Business and Management
If your degree is interdisciplinary or does not clearly fit these fields, check the official dMAT and APS information before registering.
2. Check Your Intake and APS Status
For eligible Master's applicants, the APS-related dMAT requirement applies from Summer Semester 2027 onwards.
However, transitional exemptions may apply. For example, students who registered their APS profile or submitted their complete APS documents before June 29, 2026, or already hold an APS certificate, may be exempt.
3. Check Your Required dMAT Module
The module you need depends on why you are taking the dMAT and which programme you are applying to.
Purpose
Module
APS verification
General Academic Module
RWTH Aachen University
Relevant subject module
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Data Science module
Always check the official university and dMAT information before selecting your module.
4. Check Other University Requirements
The dMAT does not replace the university's other admission requirements. Check the programme page for:
Bachelor's degree and academic background
Required subjects or credits
Language requirements
Application documents
Application deadline
Meeting the dMAT requirement alone does not guarantee admission.
5. Check Your Degree Recognition
Before paying the €150 (around INR 16,500) dMAT fee, check whether your Indian university and Bachelor's qualification are recognised in Germany.
The Anabin database is an official German database that provides information on the recognition of foreign universities and qualifications. You can use it to check whether your university and degree are recognised for study in Germany.
If your university or qualification is not clearly listed, check the official guidance on how you can prove its recognition before registering for the dMAT.
Conclusion
The dMAT requirement can vary depending on the German university and Master's programme you choose. Before applying, check whether your programme uses the dMAT, which module you need, and whether you also need the General Academic Module for your APS process.
Planning the test around your university application can make the process easier. Keep your registration deadline, exam date, certificate availability and application requirements in mind, and check the latest official updates before you register.
1. Can I apply to a German university without taking the dMAT?
Yes, for a Master's programme that doesn't ask for a dMAT and doesn't require you to take it for APS . Always check the requirements for your course before registering for the test.
2. Is the dMAT accepted by all German universities?
No. The dMAT is used by selected universities and Master's programmes. So, if you already have a university in mind, check its course requirements first, instead of assuming that the dMAT is needed.
3. Can I use one dMAT result when applying to different German universities?
It depends on the requirements of the universities and programmes you choose. If you are applying to more than one university, check whether each one accepts the same dMAT result before using your certificate.
4. Do German universities have a minimum dMAT score?
There is no common minimum score for all German universities. If your chosen programme has its own score or percentile requirement, that requirement will apply to your application.
5. Can I take the dMAT again if I get a low score?
You can look at the next available dMAT test cycle if you want to improve your result. Before booking another test, check the retake rules and make sure the new result will be available before your university deadline.
6. How should I prepare for the dMAT for a German university?
Your preparation should match the module you are taking. For a subject module, revise the key topics from your Bachelor's studies and practise applying those concepts to questions, rather than only memorising them.
7. Can I use an old dMAT certificate for a new university application?
That depends on the current requirements of the programme and the validity of your result. If you already have a certificate, check with your target university before using it for a new application.
8. Can students from countries other than India take the dMAT?
The answer depends on the reason you need the dMAT and the rules for that test. If you are an international student outside India, first check whether your chosen Master's programme specifically requires a dMAT result.
9. How do I know which dMAT module I should take?
Look at the admission requirements of your chosen Master's programme first. If the programme specifies a subject module, that is the module you should follow, rather than choosing one based only on your Bachelor's degree.
10. Should I take the dMAT before applying to a German university?
If the programme requires a dMAT result, it is better to plan the test around the university's application deadline. This gives you enough time to receive your certificate and include it with the required documents.
11. What if I am not sure whether my Bachelor's degree matches the dMAT module?
You can check it in three simple steps:
Check your Master's programme: See which dMAT subject module the university has mentioned.
Compare your Bachelor's subjects: Look at your transcript or course structure and see whether you have studied the relevant subjects.
Confirm if there is a mismatch: If your degree is interdisciplinary or the subject match is unclear, contact the university before registering for the dMAT.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |5018 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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