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How to Get the Maximum Points in the DSH Exam (DSH 2 & DSH 3 Tips)

Your ultimate guide to scoring high in all exam parts – Hörverstehen, Leseverstehen, Grammatik, Textproduktion und Mündliche Prüfung.

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⭐ Introduction: What the DSH Really Tests

The DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) is not just about knowing German.
It tests whether you can study in German — understand lectures, read scientific texts, write academic essays, and present your thoughts clearly.

To get maximum points, you don’t need “perfect grammar”.
You need strategy, structure, and time management.

Let’s break it down part by part.

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1. Hörverstehen (Listening)

🎧 How to score high

• Predict vocabulary by reading the tasks before the audio starts.

• Focus on keywords: Zahlen, Trends, Meinungen, Ursachen, Folgen, Beispiele.

• Don’t write whole sentences — write key points and link them later.

• Train with news: Tagesschau, Deutsche Welle, Uni Podcasts.

💡 Pro tip

Most students lose points because they try to understand every word.
You only need to catch content units.

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2. Leseverstehen (Reading)

📚 How to get maximum points

• Read the questions first, so your brain knows what to look for.

• Use Scanning: find dates, numbers, names quickly.

• Use Skimming: understand the main idea of each paragraph.

• Underline:

  • Argumente

  • Beispiele

  • Gegenteilige Meinungen

  • Statistiken

💡 Pro tip

The text is usually scientific, but the questions are often simple if you know how to search.

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3. Grammatik (Sprachbausteine)

🧩 What they test

• Passiv

• Nomen–Verb–Verbindungen

• Präpositionen

• Konnektoren

• Nominalstil

• Partizipialkonstruktionen

• Relativsätze

• Konjunktiv I & II

🎓 How to score the maximum

• Learn patterns, not rules.

• Use Konnektoren to show logic:

  • obwohl, während, da, sodass, dadurch, dass…

• Train filling in sentences under time pressure.

💡 Pro tip

You don’t need perfect grammar — you need consistent, academic grammar.

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4. Textproduktion (Essay Writing)

This is where you can gain or lose the most points.

📝 Structure for maximum points

Use the DSH “Gold Structure”:

1. Einleitung

• Introduce the topic

• Mention source (Diagram, Grafik, Statistik)

• Give context

2. Beschreibung der Grafik

• Nur Fakten

• Trends + Zahlen

• Steigerungen, Rückgänge, Vergleiche

3. Hauptteil (Argumentation)

• Ursachen

• Folgen

• Beispiele

• Expertenmeinungen

• Gesellschaftliche Relevanz

4. Schluss

• Kurze Zusammenfassung

• Eigene Meinung (klar + neutral + akademisch)

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🌟 How to get full points in Textproduktion

• Use varied Konnektoren

• Use Nominalstil and avoid personal language

• Create long, complex sentences with clear logic

• Stick to the structure – do not jump between ideas

• Use topic-specific vocabulary

• Write at least 250–300 words but stay precise

• Always link the Grafik to your argumentation

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5. Mündliche Prüfung (Oral Exam)

🎤 How to perform like a top student

• Speak in clear blocks:

  1. Einleitung

  2. Grafikbeschreibung

  3. Analyse

  4. Pro und Contra

  5. Eigene Meinung

• Use wissenschaftliche Wörter:

  • Tendenz

  • Ursache

  • Korrelation

  • Einflussfaktoren

💡 Pro tip

Don’t memorize a text — memorize a structure.
DSH examiners don’t expect perfection, only academic clarity.

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⭐ The Psychology of High Scores

Most students who score DSH-3 have 3 things in common:

✔ They follow a strict essay structure

✔ They use many Konnektoren

✔ They write long, analytical sentences

You don’t need native-level German.
You need strategy.

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📚 Recommended Daily Routine for Maximum Points

1 hour – Academic reading (DW, Zeit)

40 minutes – Essay writing

20 minutes – Grammar patterns

20 minutes – Listening practice

10 minutes – New vocabulary

5 minutes – Grafikbeschreibung

Repeat for 4–6 weeks = DSH success.

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🎓 Final Advice

You will get maximum points if you:

• Understand the tasks

• Use structure

• Use academic language

• Train Grafik description

• Have good Konnektoren

• Stay calm and organized

• Practice under real time pressure

You don’t need perfection.
You need consistency + strategy.

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🔗 Learn German Grammar and Vocabulary Faster

👉 https://konnektoren.help/

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