You stare at the results sheet, and there it is: DSH-1 or, even worse, no level achieved at all. The dream of a study place suddenly seems miles away, as admission usually only beckons from DSH-2 (at least 67%). But take a deep breath – a failed attempt is not the end of the world, but part of the process for many successful students.
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Quick Answer
As a rule, you can retake the DSH exam an unlimited number of times, as there is no longer a nationwide uniform waiting period or maximum number of attempts. However, each university sets its own rules in its examination regulations, which is why you often have to plan for a waiting period of three months until the next exam date.
The Hard Truth About Retaking
Things used to be stricter: those who failed twice were often banned from the DSH for life. Those times are over. Today, the DSH is a fee-based exam. This means for you: as long as you pay the examination fee and secure a spot in the course or exam session, you can usually retake it.
But beware: just because you can, doesn't mean you should immediately. For example, if you only achieved 40% in text production, you are a whopping 27 percentage points short of DSH-2. You won't make that up in two weeks by simply cramming vocabulary. The DSH is not a game of chance, but a test of your academic language proficiency. In my experience, most people fail not due to lack of knowledge, but due to time constraints or incorrect structure.
Why Text Production is Often the Deciding Factor
In the written exam, you usually have 70 minutes (between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the university). This sounds like a lot, but it's extremely challenging when you have to produce a structured text of about 250 words. It's not a free discussion where you just write whatever comes to mind. It's a task-oriented text production.
The problem: many students get lost in the introduction and have no time left for their own arguments or the graphic description at the end. If you ignore the requirements, you'll quickly fall below the 57% hurdle for DSH-1. If you make massive grammatical errors that distort the meaning, the examiners will mercilessly deduct points.
Before (Weak Focus): "I find environmental protection very important. In my home country, there are many cars, and that's bad for the air. People should cycle more." Why this is not enough: Too simple, no connection to the provided materials, no academic register.
After (DSH-2 Level): "Given the rising CO2 emissions shown in the chart, it is clear that urgent action is needed. A key aspect of the debate is the promotion of public transport to reduce individual traffic burden in urban areas." Why this is better: Appropriate connectors ("Given", "to"), specialized vocabulary ("emissions", "urban areas"), and direct reference to the data.
Strategies for the Second Attempt
If you have to retake the DSH, you should shift your focus. Most universities grade handwritten papers. This is a completely different strain on your hand and brain than typing on a laptop. Practicing close to the exam conditions therefore means: set a timer for 70 minutes, grab a pen, and write the 250 words by hand.
Another critical point is cohesion. A text consisting only of main clauses will rarely be graded DSH-3 or even DSH-2. You need to show that you can express complex relationships.
Before (Monotonous): "The graphic shows the number of students. The number has been rising since 2010. This is due to better job prospects."
After (Varied): "As the provided graphic shows, there has been a continuous increase in student numbers since 2010. This development can be primarily attributed to improved prospects in the job market."
This is exactly where my coaching approach comes in: it's about having templates in mind that you can flexibly adapt to the topic. If you want to know if your text is sufficient for DSH-2 – that's precisely what the AI tutor is for. It analyzes your structure and gives you feedback before you invest the exam fee again.
Don't Underestimate the Formal Hurdles
Although the DSH follows the CEFR framework, it is not standardized nationwide. This is both a curse and a blessing. If you failed at University A, you can try at University B. But beware: the requirements for text production can vary. Some universities allow computers, most require handwriting. Some want 200 words, others 300.
Don't forget: you only pass the DSH overall if you achieve at least 57% (DSH-1) in both the written and oral parts. For your studies, you usually need 67% (DSH-2) in both parts. Compensation between the parts is generally not possible. If you get a DSH-3 in the written part but score below 57% in the oral part, the exam is considered failed.
Three Golden Rules for Retaking
- Error Analysis: Did you lose points due to grammar, or because you didn't complete the task? If you're short on time, only writing practice under exam conditions will help.
- Material Reference: The DSH text production is not "free talking." If you ignore the graphic or the text in the main body, it's a massive point deduction.
- Legibility: If the examiners can't read your handwriting, they can't give you points. Practice writing on lined paper.
Reader Questions About DSH Retakes
Do I have to retake the entire exam if I only failed the written part?
Yes, as a rule, the DSH is considered a whole. If you fail one part (written or oral), you must take both exam parts again at the next sitting. There are only very few exceptions at individual universities that recognize partial achievements – be sure to ask at your university's language center about this.
Is there a waiting period between attempts?
Officially, there is no nationwide waiting period anymore, but in practice, it often arises from the universities' schedules. Most universities only offer the DSH at the beginning of the semester. Furthermore, many institutes require proof of attendance at another language course after a failed attempt before they will admit you again.
Can I retake the DSH at another university if I was banned?
Since there are almost no more lifetime bans, changing universities is easily possible. However, note that each university has its own admission requirements for the exam (e.g., a C1 certificate or conditional admission to study). Your previous failed attempts at another university usually play no role.
How many words should I write at a minimum to pass safely?
According to the framework regulations, the target length is around 250 words. Depending on the university, the requirement can vary between 200 and 300 words. Significantly undershooting will lead to point deductions for task completion, while massively overshooting often leads to more errors and time pressure. Quality goes before quantity here.
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