dMAT at a glance (2026–27)
On 29 June 2026, Germany added a test to the paperwork for Indian master's applicants. If your bachelor's is in engineering, commerce or business, APS India now needs your dMAT result before it can issue the APS certificate you need for a German student visa. The test has no pass mark, but it does have deadlines, and missing the right sitting can cost you an intake.
Key takeaways
- Who: master's applicants whose degree is in engineering; commerce, accounting, finance or economics; or business or management, for the summer 2027 intake and later.[1] Check your exact degree.
- Not automatic for: B.Sc. Computer Science, BCA, and IT, AI, data science or cyber security degrees without an engineering title. APS decides from your official degree title.[2]
- Exempt: anyone who registered with APS or shipped complete APS documents before 29 June 2026, or already holds an APS certificate.
- What it costs: €150 (≈ ₹16,200), on top of the ₹18,000 APS fee.
- When: the first sitting was 26 September 2026, with results on 12 October 2026. The next is planned for the first quarter of 2027; no date had been published when we checked.[3]
- Score: no pass mark for APS. Your score is printed on the APS certificate and universities decide how to use it, so prepare properly.
| Full name | digital Master Test (dMAT) |
|---|---|
| Run by | g.a.s.t. (Gesellschaft für Akademische Studienvorbereitung und Testentwicklung), the organisation behind TestDaF and TestAS. Developed with the Universities of Ulm and Kassel, originally with DAAD support.[4] |
| Role in India | An additional part of the APS procedure for selected master's applicants. It doesn't replace APS document verification, anabin or university recognition. |
| Required from | Applications for the summer semester 2027 intake and every intake after it |
| Fields | Engineering · Commerce / Accounting / Finance / Economics · Business / Management |
| Format | Computer-based at a test centre, in English, single-choice questions. Core Module (figure sequences, mathematical equations, Latin squares) and General Academic Module (about 60 questions).[3] |
| Duration | About 3.5 hours: two 90-minute modules with a 30-minute break.[5] |
| Fee | €150, paid online when you register |
| Score | Percentile rank plus a dMAT score from 0 to 200 (mean 100) for each module; the overall result is the sum of the two |
| Pass mark | None for APS |
| Retakes | As many as you like |
| Validity | Generally valid indefinitely; a university you send it to directly may set its own limit.[3] |
| Test centres in India | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, Mananthavady, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune[6] |
What is the dMAT, and why did Germany add it?
The dMAT is a computer-based aptitude test for master's study. It is offered by g.a.s.t., a German non-profit that also runs TestDaF (German language) and TestAS (aptitude for bachelor's study). Its format was developed with the Universities of Ulm and Kassel, and its original development was supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).[4]
The test existed before the India rule. RWTH Aachen, for example, already uses a dMAT subject module to select students for its MSc in Battery Science and Technology.[7] What changed in 2026 is that the dMAT became part of the APS procedure for Indian graduates. In g.a.s.t.'s words, the dMAT was introduced "as a new additional element into the APS documentation and verification process for graduates of Indian universities".[4]
Neither g.a.s.t. nor APS gives a reason on its own pages. The German Embassy's Science Section told The PIE News that the dMAT "is an additional element in the APS documentation. It does not replace APS document verification."[8] A week later the Embassy explained: "The dMAT is meant to strengthen transparency and comparability, not to discourage qualified Indian students from applying to Germany", adding that it "should not be understood as a simple pass/fail barrier".[9]
| The dMAT is | The dMAT is not |
|---|---|
| A required part of the APS procedure for affected fields | A replacement for APS document verification, anabin or university recognition[1] |
| An aptitude test of reasoning and applying knowledge | A test of memorised facts from your syllabus |
| Reported as a score and percentile | A pass/fail exam for APS |
| For the visa, taking it is enough, with no minimum score: "Taking the dMAT is sufficient for the visa application"[3] | A replacement for the GRE, GATE or GMAT where a university asks for them |
Who must take the dMAT, and who is exempt
APS India's rule is that the dMAT "is a required part of the APS documentation for applications relating to the summer semester 2027 intake and subsequent intakes" for master's applicants whose previous degree falls within one of three field groups.[1]
You must take it if…
- you're applying for a master's in Germany for summer 2027 or later, and
- your bachelor's is in engineering, commerce / accounting / finance / economics, or business / management, and
- you registered with APS (and sent your documents) on or after 29 June 2026.
You don't need it if…
- you completed your APS online registration or shipped your complete APS documents before 29 June 2026;
- you already hold an APS certificate (you don't have to take it retrospectively);[3]
- you're in an officially confirmed exchange, double-degree or university partnership programme;
- you're applying for a bachelor's or a PhD;
- your degree isn't in one of the three field groups;
- you're a bachelor's student who hasn't yet completed at least 5 semesters of a 3-year programme, or 7 semesters of a 4-year programme. That means you don't need it yet: if your field is affected, you'll need it when you apply for APS.[1]
Anyone may also take the dMAT voluntarily.[3] That can make sense if your degree is a borderline case, or if a university you're targeting uses the score.
Is my degree on the list? Degree-by-degree
APS published its list of affected fields on 29 June 2026 (version 1.0). It names about 130 engineering titles (some are spelling variants), the commerce and economics degrees and the business and management degrees. Three rules from the list decide the edge cases:[2]
- The official degree title decides. "The official wording on the degree certificate, transcript, marksheets or university documents is decisive."
- A keyword alone isn't enough. A title containing "Engineering", "Management", "Business", "Commerce", "Finance" or "Technology" isn't sufficient on its own if the degree doesn't actually belong to that discipline.
- APS has the final word. "APS India decides the final classification on the basis of the official degree title, major, honours subject, branch or specialisation, transcripts, marksheets, degree duration, institution status and applicable recognition rules."
Do I need the dMAT? Degree checker
Pick the title closest to your degree certificate, then answer three questions.
Based on APS India's dMAT page (updated 13 July 2026) and field list v1.0 (29 June 2026). APS India decides the final classification from your official degree title.
| Degree | dMAT needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical, Aerospace and other engineering branches | Yes | Engineering group |
| B.E. / B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Science and Engineering, Information Technology and Engineering | Yes | Named as covered in the CS/IT section of the list |
| Biotechnology Engineering, Biochemical or Biomedical Engineering; Bioengineering | Yes | Named as covered. A B.Tech titled only "Biotechnology" isn't automatically covered: a B.Tech counts only if the branch is clearly engineering. |
| B.Com., B.Com. (Hons) and its specialisations; accounting, auditing, finance, banking and insurance, taxation | Yes | Commerce / Accounting / Finance group |
| B.A. / B.Sc. Economics, Business Economics | Yes | Economics is in the commerce group |
| BBA, BBM, BMS, BBS, BBE; International Business, Business Analytics, Marketing, HRM, Supply Chain, Logistics | Yes | Business / Management group |
| Software Engineering | Yes if awarded as an engineering degree (B.E. or an engineering B.Tech) | Listed as "Software Engineering, if awarded as an Engineering degree" |
| B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc. IT, BCA, Computer Applications | Not automatically | "Standalone Computer Science, BCA, Computer Applications, IT, AI, Data Science or Cyber Security are not automatically covered" |
| B.Tech IT, AI, Data Science or Cyber Security without "Engineering" in the title | Not automatically | Same rule; check your exact title with APS |
| Hotel, Hospitality, Tourism, Aviation, Healthcare, Hospital, Construction or Infrastructure Management, including BBAs in these fields | Separate assessment | Not classified "by the word Management alone" |
| B.Sc. Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Microbiology, Life Sciences | Not automatically | Science degrees without an engineering designation |
| Pure sciences, architecture, pharmacy, medicine, law, education, arts, humanities, social sciences | Not automatically | Outside the three groups unless APS classifies your title into one |
If your title is "not automatically" covered, APS may still classify it into a group. Ask APS India through its contact form before you plan around skipping the test, and keep the answer. If your target intake is close, taking the dMAT voluntarily removes the risk.
dMAT format: modules, questions and timing
For the APS procedure, the dMAT has two compulsory modules, and every candidate gets the same tasks. All questions are single-choice and the test is in English.[3] It's taken on a computer, only at g.a.s.t. test centres; g.a.s.t. offers no at-home option.
| Part | What it tests | Tasks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Module (scheduled as a 90-minute block) | |||
| Figure sequences | Spotting the rule in a series of figures in a matrix and choosing the figure that continues it | 20 | 25 min |
| Mathematical equations | Solving systems of equations in which letters stand for whole numbers from 1 to 20 | 20 | 25 min |
| Latin squares | Completing 5×5 grids in which every symbol appears once in each row and column | 20 | 25 min |
| Break | You can't leave the test centre; snacks are allowed | — | 30 min |
| General Academic Module | Problem situations from mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, engineering, business, economics, the social sciences and humanities, each followed by questions with four options | ≈ 60 | 90 min |
Sources: task counts and subtest times from g.a.s.t.'s preparatory materials;[10] 90-minute modules and the 30-minute break from its candidate information;[5] "approximately 60" General Academic questions from the FAQ.[3] g.a.s.t. gives the total as "three and a half hours with a break".[4]
The General Academic Module tests "transfer and application skills rather than the rote memorisation of factual knowledge".[3] You read a short scenario, such as a physics set-up, an inventory problem or a social-science study design, and apply reasoning to it. There's no published syllabus.
Test-day rules that catch people out
- Late = not admitted, "even if they are only a few minutes late".[5]
- No calculator, ruler or notepaper, and no taking notes at all.
- No phones or smartwatches. Violations mean immediate exclusion.
- The clock doesn't stop for restroom visits during a module.
- No leaving the centre during the break, and no eating during the exam; water in a clear, unlabelled bottle is fine.
- Bring the ID you registered with (passport or Aadhaar for Indian candidates). We recommend your passport.
- Sign the consent form that lets g.a.s.t. send your result to APS. Without it, your result can't be transferred.
- Watch the introductory videos in your portal beforehand: no detailed software instructions are given during the test.[3]
What dMAT questions look like: try two sample-style tasks
These are simplified tasks we wrote to show the idea; they are not official dMAT questions. The real tasks are harder and timed. For official examples, use the free g.a.s.t. preparatory materials and the demo test in your registration portal.[10]
Mathematical equations
Each letter stands for a whole number from 1 to 20. Find C.
A + B = 11
A − B = 3
C = 2 × A − B
(a) 8 (b) 10 (c) 11 (d) 14
Show the answer
(b) 10. Adding the first two equations gives 2A = 14, so A = 7 and B = 4. Then C = 14 − 4 = 10. In the real test there's no calculator or paper, so practise doing this in your head.
Latin squares
Each letter A–E appears exactly once in every row and every column. Which letter goes in the "?" cell?
| A | B | C | D | E |
| B | D | E | ||
| C | D | ? | B | |
| E | A | B | ||
| E | B | C | D |
(a) A (b) C (c) D (d) E
Show the answer
(d) E. The third column already holds C, D, A and B, so the missing letter is E. Real tasks hide more cells, so you have to combine row and column clues.
Figure sequences ask you to work out how shapes change from one box to the next (rotation, number, shading, position) and pick the figure that comes next. They're hard to describe in words, so practise with the official examples.
dMAT scores: how scoring works and what counts as a good score
The dMAT certificate shows two results for each module: your percentile rank and your dMAT score. The score "converts the number of correct answers to a scale from 0 to 200, with a mean of 100", and "the overall result is calculated by adding the scores for the two modules".[3]
| On your certificate | What it means |
|---|---|
| dMAT score (0–200 per module) | A standardised score. 100 is the average; above 100 is above average for test takers. |
| Percentile rank | The share of test takers who scored lower than you. A 70th percentile means you did better than about 70% of them. |
| Overall result | The two module scores added together |
Is there a pass mark?
Not for APS. APS India says: "A low dMAT score does not automatically lead to a refusal of the APS certificate."[1] The Embassy added that "a low score does not automatically prevent the issuance of an APS certificate, provided the other APS requirements are met".[9] Your result appears on your APS certificate, so every university you apply to can see it.
What's a good dMAT score?
No university had published a minimum score for the General Academic Module when we checked, and g.a.s.t. says "Universities decide individually how to use the dMAT results."[4] So there's no official "good score" yet. Our advice is practical: aim to be clearly above the mean of 100 in both modules, because competitive programmes are likely to read a high percentile as a plus and a very low one as a question mark. We'll update this section once universities publish how they use the India results.
Which universities use the dMAT?
g.a.s.t. names two universities that already use dMAT results in selection:[4]
- RWTH Aachen, MSc Battery Science and Technology: the dMAT (the Core Module plus one subject module, such as Physics or Mechanical Engineering) counts for 80% of the selection score and the bachelor's grade for 20%; applicants from non-EU countries also need the GRE General Test.[7]
- University of Göttingen, MSc Applied Data Science: an optional "dMAT Data Science" from summer 2027. Applicants who don't take it are still considered, but a good result "can significantly enhance your chances of admission".[11]
Both use subject-specific modules instead of the General Academic Module that APS applicants take. For the bigger picture of where Indian students apply, see our guide to the universities that use the dMAT score and other admission criteria.
dMAT dates, test centres and results (2026–27)
| Sitting | Registration | Test day | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| First sitting | 29 June – 15 September 2026 (closed) | 26 September 2026 | 12 October 2026, on the g.a.s.t. portal |
| Next sitting | Not yet open | Planned for the first quarter of 2027 | To be announced |
g.a.s.t. says: "The next test date after 26 September 2026 is planned for the first quarter of 2027. The exact date will be published on the dMAT website once it has been confirmed."[3] Any exact 2027 date you see elsewhere is unofficial until it appears on d-mat.de or in the g.a.s.t. portal.[12] We'll update this page as soon as it does.
Test centres
In India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, Mananthavady, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. The dMAT is also offered in Berlin (Germany) and Kathmandu (Nepal).[6] You choose your centre when you book; seats are limited, so book early. The centre list for 2027 may change, so check the portal when registration opens.
After the results
Your certificate is issued on the g.a.s.t. portal. With your consent, g.a.s.t. sends your result to APS, and the result is then shown on your APS certificate.[1] APS issues the APS certificate only after your dMAT certificate has been submitted and checked.
How to register for the dMAT, and the €150 fee
- Create an account on the g.a.s.t. portalSearch for dMAT test dates and choose your test centre.[12] Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport: after registration, name changes go through g.a.s.t. only.[3]
- Upload a passport-style photoIt's used to check your identity. "You will not be admitted to the test without this photo."
- Pay €150 onlineAPS gives the current fee as €150.00, payable during registration.[1] Registration is only complete once the fee is paid. At ₹108 = €1 that's about ₹16,200; your bank's exchange rate and card charges decide the exact amount.
- Request accommodations early, if you need themFor a recognised disability or impairment, register at least ten weeks before the test date and request the accommodation during registration.[3]
- Prepare with the free materialsThe preparatory PDF and the demo test (in your portal under "Exam Preparation") show the task types and the test software.
- Check the portal about five days beforeTest-day information and an introductory video are published there.
- Sit the test, then download your certificateBring the original ID you registered with and sign the consent form so your result can go to APS.[5]
Cancellation and refunds
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Within 14 days of booking | Under the general terms there is generally a 14-day right of withdrawal from the date the contract is concluded.[3] |
| Up to the registration deadline | You can cancel. "An administrative fee of up to 15% of the participation fee may be deducted." |
| After the registration deadline | No refund, including if you don't show up, stop the test or are excluded. |
| Changing date or centre | Ask g.a.s.t. directly; it isn't automatic. |
Total cost of the dMAT route
For an affected student, the dMAT adds €150 (≈ ₹16,200) to the ₹18,000 APS fee: about ₹34,200 in fees before you've applied anywhere, plus travel to the test centre. A retake costs another €150. See the full list of costs before the visa in our main guide.
The dMAT and your intake: summer 2027 or winter 2027/28?
The dMAT has made one thing clear: when you sit the test decides which intake you can realistically make, because APS can't issue your certificate until your dMAT certificate has been checked, and you need that APS certificate for applications and the visa.
| Your situation | Summer 2027 (April) | Winter 2027/28 (October) |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt (APS registered or shipped before 29 June 2026) | Possible, but deadlines run from November 2026 to 15 January 2027 | Realistic |
| Sat the dMAT on 26 September 2026 | Tight: results 12 October, then APS, then applications and the visa | Realistic |
| Need the dMAT and haven't taken it | Unrealistic for most programmes: the next sitting is only planned for Q1 2027 | Realistic if you sit the Q1 2027 test and APS is done by spring |
For winter 2027/28, a typical plan: register with APS now; book the Q1 2027 dMAT as soon as dates open; prepare for six weeks; send the dMAT certificate to APS as soon as it's issued; apply between March and July 2027. Our APS certificate process guide explains the APS side step by step (and our APS service checks your documents before you courier them), and the dMAT and intake checker in the main guide gives you a personal plan.
How to prepare for the dMAT: a 6-week plan
g.a.s.t. publishes free preparatory materials for both modules: worked examples of all three Core Module task types, and four General Academic exercises (vector calculations, hydrostatics, optimal order quantity and research strategies in the social sciences) with solutions. The demo test in your portal shows the real software. g.a.s.t. warns that the sample tasks' "level of difficulty may differ from that of the actual test", so don't treat them as a full mock.[3]
| Week | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Know the test | Read the official preparatory PDF end to end; do every example untimed; watch the portal videos. Note which task type feels hardest. |
| 2 | Mathematical equations | Revise Class XI–XII algebra: substitution, elimination, working with whole numbers 1–20. Practise without paper or calculator. |
| 3 | Latin squares and figure sequences | Daily sets of 5×5 grids and figure series. Learn the common changes in figure series: rotation, count, shading and position. |
| 4 | General Academic Module | Short scientific, technical and business texts with questions. Practise pulling numbers out of a scenario and reasoning outside your own subject. |
| 5 | Speed | Timed sets: 20 Core tasks in 25 minutes; 60 General Academic questions in 90 minutes. Practise moving on from a task you're stuck on. |
| 6 | Full rehearsal | Two full-length timed runs with a 30-minute break, no paper, no phone. Review mistakes, then rest the day before. |
Tips for each part
- Answer every question. g.a.s.t.'s preparation material tells candidates to "guess which answer might be correct" if they're unsure.[10]
- Train mental arithmetic. There's no calculator and no notepaper, so the equations subtest rewards fast, accurate head maths.
- Latin squares: start with the row or column that has the most filled cells, and check both directions before you choose.
- Figure sequences: track one feature at a time (position, then rotation, then number, then shading).
- General Academic Module: read the question first, then the scenario. It tests applying information, not remembering it.
If you're also taking other tests, see our guide to dMAT, GRE and GMAT preparation. If you'd like structured coaching, Yastudy runs a 30-day dMAT preparation course with live classes and mock tests, a dMAT crash course for the last weeks before your test, and complete dMAT preparation from the basics.
dMAT vs GRE, GMAT and TestAS
The short answer from g.a.s.t.: the dMAT doesn't replace the GRE or GATE. "Whether and how a university also considers the dMAT as part of its own admission process must be clarified directly with that university."[3] A GRE or GMAT score doesn't exempt you from the dMAT either: the APS rule depends only on your degree field and dates.
| Test | Who asks for it | Needed for APS? | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| dMAT | APS India (for affected fields); a few universities use their own dMAT modules | Yes, for affected fields from summer 2027 | Reasoning (Core) and applying academic knowledge (General Academic) |
| GRE General | Some programmes, often competitive engineering, CS and science programmes (for example, RWTH's Battery Science asks non-EU applicants for it) | No | Verbal, quantitative and analytical writing |
| GMAT | Some management and MBA programmes | No | Quantitative, verbal and data insights for business school |
| TestAS | Some universities, for bachelor's applicants | No (not mandatory for APS India)[13] | Study aptitude for undergraduate courses; its core module uses similar task types to the dMAT Core Module (TestAS preparation) |
Check each programme's admission page: some want the GRE and will see your dMAT on the APS certificate. Our guide to MS courses in Germany covers what different programmes ask for.
8 dMAT mistakes that cost Indian students an intake
- Assuming "CS" means you're exempt, or that it means you're not. B.Tech CSE is covered; B.Sc. CS and BCA aren't automatically. Check your exact title.
- Waiting for the "next date" without registering for APS. Register with APS and get your documents ready while you wait for the dMAT date.
- Treating it as a formality. There's no pass mark, but your score is printed on your APS certificate for every university to see.
- Registering with a name that doesn't match your passport. Name changes after registration go through g.a.s.t. only.
- Forgetting the photo upload. Without it you won't be admitted.
- Arriving late. Even a few minutes means no entry, and no refund.
- Not signing the consent form. Without it, your result can't be sent to APS.
- Planning summer 2027 without a dMAT result. If you need the test and missed 26 September 2026, aim for winter 2027/28.
How Yastudy helps with the dMAT
You can prepare and register on your own with the official materials and this page. If you want help, here's what we offer.
| Option | dMAT help |
|---|---|
| dMAT preparation course | A 30-day online course with live classes, recordings, study material, mock tests and doubt-clearing. Fees are on the course page. |
| Free counselling (private universities) | For private universities that fund our counselling: guidance on whether you need the dMAT and how to register, as part of APS support |
| Essential plan (₹24,999) | dMAT guidance: whether you need it and how to register; APS document check |
| Advantage plan (₹44,999) | dMAT registration help and a prep plan with practice sets; full APS filing support |
| Premium plan (₹79,999) | 1:1 dMAT coaching, plus everything in Advantage |
Plan prices per student, GST as applicable; each plan also covers applications and the visa (see the full plans). The €150 dMAT fee and ₹18,000 APS fee are paid directly to g.a.s.t. and APS.
Nobody can get you an earlier dMAT date, a guaranteed score or a dMAT exemption you're not entitled to. Dates, rules and results come only from g.a.s.t. and APS India.
Let Yastudy do this with you: Germany master’s plans
This step is part of every Yastudy plan for public universities in Germany. Pay online and your counsellor calls you within one working day with a dated plan for APS, the dMAT, tests, applications and the visa.
Essential
For self-starters who want an expert to check every step
- Profile evaluation and grade conversion
- Shortlist of 6 programmes (reach, match, safe)
- Up to 4 university applications reviewed
- APS document check (you file, we check)
- dMAT guidance: whether you need it and how to register
- Motivation letter and CV editing (2 rounds each) and LOR guidance
- Visa file check before you submit
Advantage
Done with you: we file alongside you, with German included
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Up to 10 university applications
- Full APS filing support
- dMAT registration help and a prep plan with practice sets
- Live German A1 course included (worth ₹14,000)
- Consular Services Portal form filled in with you, plus a mock visa interview
Premium
Two intakes, unlimited applications and support after you land
- Everything in Advantage, plus:
- Unlimited applications across 2 intakes
- Live German A1 + A2 + B1 course included (worth ₹29,500)
- 1:1 dMAT coaching
- Scholarship and education-loan application support
- Arrival support: address registration, bank account, insurance and residence-permit appointment
Secure online payment through Razorpay. All prices in ₹ per student; GST as applicable. Plan terms, including what happens if you change your mind: Terms & Conditions. Third-party fees (APS, dMAT, uni-assist, visa) are not included; see full plan details. Applying only to private universities that work with us? Counselling is free: ask about free counselling.
dMAT FAQs: 26 questions Indian students ask
Basics
What is the dMAT exam?
The digital Master Test (dMAT) is a computer-based aptitude test for master's study, run by g.a.s.t., the organisation behind TestDaF and TestAS. Since 29 June 2026 it has been part of the APS procedure for Indian master's applicants with degrees in engineering, commerce, accounting, finance, economics, business or management.
What is the full form of dMAT?
digital Master Test. Names such as "Digital Management Admission Test" or "Digital Mathematics Aptitude Test" that circulate online are wrong.
Is the dMAT mandatory for MS in Germany?
Only for some applicants: master's applicants for summer 2027 and later whose bachelor's is in engineering, commerce, accounting, finance, economics, business or management, unless they registered with APS or shipped their APS documents before 29 June 2026, already hold an APS certificate, or are in a confirmed exchange or partnership programme.
Does the dMAT apply to the winter 2026/27 intake?
No. The requirement applies to applications for the summer semester 2027 intake and later intakes.
Does the dMAT replace the APS certificate?
No. It is an additional element of the APS procedure. APS still verifies your documents, and it issues the APS certificate only after your dMAT certificate has been submitted and checked.
Who needs it
Do B.Tech CSE students need the dMAT?
Yes. Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Science and Engineering, and Information Technology and Engineering are named as covered in APS's field list.
Do B.Sc. Computer Science or BCA graduates need the dMAT?
Not automatically. APS's list says standalone Computer Science, BCA, Computer Applications, IT, AI, Data Science and Cyber Security "are not automatically covered" unless APS classifies the official title into an affected field. Confirm with APS if you're unsure.
Is the dMAT required for B.Com and BBA graduates?
For most, yes. Commerce, accounting, finance, banking, taxation and economics degrees, and general business and management degrees such as BBA, BBM and BMS, are affected fields. Sector-specific BBAs (for example Hotel, Tourism, Aviation or Hospital Management) are assessed separately by APS.
Do I need the dMAT if I already applied for APS?
Not if you completed your APS online registration or shipped your complete APS documents before 29 June 2026, or if you already hold an APS certificate. If you registered on or after 29 June 2026 and your field is affected, you need it.
Can I take the dMAT voluntarily?
Yes. g.a.s.t. allows voluntary participation, which can help if your degree is a borderline case or a university you're targeting uses the score.
Is the dMAT needed for bachelor's or PhD applicants?
No. It applies to master's applicants only.
Format and scoring
What is the dMAT exam pattern?
Two modules in English with single-choice questions. The Core Module has three subtests of 20 tasks each (figure sequences, mathematical equations and Latin squares), 25 minutes each. The General Academic Module has about 60 questions in 90 minutes. With a 30-minute break, the test takes about 3.5 hours.
Is there a dMAT syllabus?
No official syllabus is published. The General Academic Module tests applying knowledge from mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, engineering, business, economics, the social sciences and humanities, rather than memorised facts.
Can I use a calculator in the dMAT?
No. Calculators, rulers, notepaper and note-taking are not allowed, and electronic devices are banned.
Is there negative marking in the dMAT?
g.a.s.t. doesn't describe negative marking, and its preparation material tells candidates to guess if they're unsure. Answer every question.
How is the dMAT scored?
Each module gets a dMAT score from 0 to 200 (mean 100) and a percentile rank. The overall result is the sum of the two module scores.
What is the passing score for the dMAT?
There is none for APS. APS says a low score does not automatically lead to refusal of the APS certificate. Universities decide individually how to use the results, and none had published a minimum for the General Academic Module when we checked.
Dates, fee and registration
What is the dMAT fee in India?
€150, paid online to g.a.s.t. when you register. That's about ₹16,200 at ₹108 = €1; your bank's rate decides the exact amount.
When is the next dMAT exam?
After the first sitting on 26 September 2026, the next is planned for the first quarter of 2027. g.a.s.t. will publish the exact date on the dMAT website once it's confirmed.
When are dMAT results announced?
For the 26 September 2026 sitting, results and certificates are issued on 12 October 2026 on the g.a.s.t. portal.
Where are the dMAT test centres in India?
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, Mananthavady, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune, plus Berlin and Kathmandu outside India.
Can I cancel my dMAT registration?
Up to the registration deadline, yes, with a deduction of up to 15% of the fee; there's also generally a 14-day right of withdrawal under the general terms. After the deadline there's no refund.
Which ID do I need on test day?
The same original ID you registered with. g.a.s.t. accepts a passport or Aadhaar card for Indian candidates; we recommend the passport, and your registered name should match it exactly.
After the test
Can I retake the dMAT?
Yes, as many times as you like. Each attempt costs the full fee.
How long is a dMAT score valid?
g.a.s.t. says the certificate is generally valid indefinitely. A university you send it to directly may apply its own time limit.
Does the dMAT replace the GRE?
No. g.a.s.t. says the dMAT doesn't replace the GRE or GATE. If a programme asks for the GRE, you still need it, and a GRE score doesn't exempt you from the dMAT.
About this guide
Who wrote it
The Yastudy Germany Desk: the counsellors who plan APS and dMAT timelines for master's students from our Patna, Noida and Bengaluru offices, and the trainers behind our dMAT preparation course.
How we checked the facts
Every rule on this page was checked on 6 October 2026 against g.a.s.t.'s dMAT pages, FAQ, preparatory materials and candidate information, APS India's dMAT page and field list (v1.0), and the universities that use the test. The sample tasks are our own, written for illustration.
When we update it
Straight after the first results on 12 October 2026, as soon as the Q1 2027 date is announced, and whenever APS updates its field list.
Our standards
- We quote g.a.s.t. and APS India rather than guess.
- We never promise a score, a date or an exemption.
- Spotted something out of date? Email admission@yastudy.com with "Correction" in the subject line.
Yastudy is the study-abroad and test-prep brand of Europass Immigration Private Limited, Patna. We are not part of, or authorised by, g.a.s.t., APS India or the German Embassy.
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Sources
All checked on 6 October 2026. Where a source has a publication date, it's shown.
- APS India: dMAT: information for master’s applicants (updated 13 Jul 2026)
- APS India: dMAT India: list of affected fields, version 1.0 (29 Jun 2026)
- g.a.s.t.: dMAT FAQ for graduates from India
- g.a.s.t.: dMAT – digital Master Test: overview, duration, validity and universities using it
- g.a.s.t.: Information for exam candidates on 26 September 2026 (PDF) (Sep 2026)
- g.a.s.t.: dMAT in India: format, test centres and dates
- RWTH Aachen University: MSc Battery Science and Technology: admission requirements (2026)
- The PIE News: Germany adds new test to pre-visa checks for Indian master’s applicants (7 Jul 2026)
- The PIE News: Germany says new dMAT will not be a pass-fail barrier for Indian students (15 Jul 2026)
- g.a.s.t.: dMAT preparatory materials: Core Module and General Academic Module (PDF) (2 Sep 2026)
- University of Göttingen: MSc (Applied) Data Science: dMAT Data Science (18 Jun 2026)
- g.a.s.t.: dMAT test dates and centres: registration portal
- APS India: Frequently asked questions
