Entrance Examination for English-taught Master's Programs

Here you will find detailed information about the application evaluation process, the entrance exam and key deadlines.

Application Evaluation Process

The evaluation of your application takes place in two main steps:

Step 1: Content-related Evaluation

In this step, your subject-specific competencies required for admission (quality, level, learning outcomes, workload and profile of the reference study program described in the appendix of the regulations for the study programs) are evaluated. It is conducted in two sub-steps:

1.a) Document-based Entrance Examination

Your submitted application documents are reviewed to assess whether the required competencies have been demonstrated. Based on this review, one of the following outcomes is possible:

  • you meet all subject-specific entrance requirements
  • you do not meet the subject-specific entrance requirements
  • the required competencies cannot be conclusively assessed through your documents alone → In this case you will be invited to take the entrance exam (see Step 1.b).

1.b) Substantive Entrance Examination (“Entrance Exam”)

If the document-based entrance examination does not yield a clear result, you will be invited for the entrance exam. This written exam is conducted online and lasts 90 minutes.

Based on the results of your entrance exam, the examination board of the department will decide whether your competencies are deemed sufficient for admission.

The entrance exam for the summer semester 2025 will take place:

  • online
  • on March 6th, 2025
  • starting at 2:00 p.m. CET (Berlin time)

All invitations for the Entrance Exam for the summer semester 2025 have been sent. If you have not received an invitation, you are not eligible to participate.

If you have received an invitation, you will be registered in the Moodle exam course before March 4th 2025. There, you will find detailed information about the Entrance Exam process as well as access to a Zoom consultation session on March 4th 2025 where you can ask any remaining questions.

Important Notes:

  • Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot provide individual feedback on why or why not you were invited to the entrance exam.
  • Submitting additional documents after the initial evaluation will not lead to a re-evaluation of your application.
  • The entrance exam is a unique opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications and cannot be repeated within the same application cycle. If you fail the entrance exam, you can reapply in a subsequent semester and the entrance exam can be retaken as part of the new application process.

Step 2: Evaluation of Formal Prerequisites

Once you have demonstrated sufficient competencies during the document-based entrance examination (Step 1.a) or the substantive entrance examination (Step 1.b), your application will proceed to the formal prerequisite check conducted by the Office of International Admission. For a complete overview of the criteria and conditions evaluated during this step, please refer to the website of the Office of International Admission.

Only if both Step 1 and Step 2 are fulfilled, you will be admitted to the program.

About four weeks after the application deadline, you will be informed whether you need to take the entrance exam. Notifications are sent in two stages:

1. Invitation email: Look out for an email from the department informing you whether you need to take the entrance exam (“invitation email”).

2. Moodle registration email: If invited, you will receive a second email (“Moodle registration email”) with your login credentials (username: the email address used during the application process).

  • Log in immediately into the Moodle exam course by using the “Login for Applicants” button to access the platform.
  • Carefully read all provided instructions to familiarize yourself with the exam process and requirements.
  • Complete the mandatory test exam as preparation. This is required before accessing the actual entrance exam and will familiarize you with the technical requirements.
  • Install the online exam proctoring software SMOWL. Detailed instructions for installing and using SMOWL can be found in the Moodle exam course. This software is mandatory for participating in the entrance exam.

If you have received the invitation email but have not received the Moodle registration email by March 1st, please:

1. Click on “Lost password or not received one yet?” below the Moodle login button.

2. Use the option “Retrieval by Email” and enter the email address you used for the application.

3. If password retrieval fails, contact us at .

The entrance exam will take place online in the Moodle exam course.

It will be conducted entirely in English.

The duration will be 90 minutes.

The Moodle exam course is accessible at any time; however, the entrance exam is only available from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CET (Berlin time) on the exam day. It is your responsibility to log in to the Moodle exam course well in advance to complete the identification process and resolve any technical issues before the entrance exam begins.

The entrance exam will automatically close at 4:00 p.m. CET.

If you begin the entrance exam after 2:00 p.m. CET, you will still have 90 minutes to complete it, provided you finish before 4:00 p.m. CET. For example:

  • Starting the entrance exam at 2:10 p.m. gives you until 3:40 p.m.
  • Starting the entrance exam at 3:00 p.m. gives you until 4:00 p.m.

Important Note: You will not be able to access or start the entrance exam after 4:00 p.m. CET.

After logging in, you must identify yourself by presenting a valid ID or passport to the camera.

Ensure that you are in a quiet, well-lit environment to facilitate a smooth identification process.

To successfully participate in the entrance exam, you will need the following equipment:

  • a device with a stable internet connection (e.g., laptop or desktop computer)
  • two cameras (e.g., a webcam and a phone camera) to ensure compliance with proctoring guidelines
  • a microphone for audio monitoring during the entrance exam
  • a valid ID or passport for identification purposes

Additionally, the entrance exam requires the use of the SMOWL online proctoring software. Please review the technical requirements for SMOWL on their website in advance to ensure compatibility with your device and setup.

Make sure to test all equipment and software prior to the entrance exam to avoid any technical issues during the test.

Live technical support will be available via an open Zoom session during the entrance exam. If you encounter technical difficulties with the entrance exam, you can log in to this Zoom session for assistance. The Zoom access details will be provided in the Moodle exam course.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure your equipment and internet connection (including Zoom) are functioning properly before the entrance exam begins! The technical support team will assist with immediate issues with the entrance exam but cannot compensate for insufficient preparation or equipment problems.

The entrance exam tests subjects covered in the mandatory courses of our Bachelor's program, which define the entrance competencies for the Master’s programs.

To prepare for the exam, we strongly recommend reviewing the following materials:

Submitting sufficient valid GRE or GATE scores provides an option to be exempted from the entrance exam by offering an alternative means of demonstrating your qualifications. For both options, the required minimum scores are binding – there are no exceptions. Missing points in one category cannot be compensated by higher scores in another.

Required Scores:

  • Verbal Reasoning: 155
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 161
  • Analytic Writing: 3.0

GRE scores must be submitted via the ETS portal.

When submitting your scores, please use the following codes:

  • University Code: 2249
  • Departmental Code: 0402 (Computer Sciences)

Required Score:

  • Computer Science: 750 points

To submit your GATE score, please contact us via email at .

Your GRE or GATE scores must be submitted by March 15th, 2025. Submissions after this date cannot be accepted. We strongly recommend submitting your scores as early as possible.

There are no fees for taking the entrance exam.

Exam Conduct and Rules

Cheating

Any form of cheating or failure to follow the guidelines provided in the Moodle exam course will result in rejection. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:

  • using AI tools such as ChatGPT or similar software
  • having communication apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram) open, even if inactive in the background
  • collaborating with others or receiving external assistance during the entrance exam

Attendance

Failing to attend the Entrance Exam will result in rejection (unless you submit a valid GRE or GATE score by the specified deadline).

Rescheduling

The entrance exam cannot be rescheduled or repeated within the same application cycle.

Please ensure that you carefully review and adhere to all instructions outlined in the Moodle exam course!

Key Steps and Deadlines for the Entrance Exam

Use this table as a checklist to ensure you complete all required tasks on time.

Deadline
(application for summer semester) 		Deadline
(application for winter semester) 		Step What You Need to Do
Mid-February Mid-August Invitation email for entrance exam Look out for an email from the department informing you whether you need to take the entrance exam.
March 1st September 1st Registration in Moodle and automated Moodle registration email If invited to the exam, check your email for the Moodle registration email. If you do not receive this email by the deadline, follow the instructions outlined under “Missing Moodle Registration Email”.
Immediately after receiving the registration email Immediately after receiving the registration email Moodle login and test exam Log into the Moodle exam course, check all functionalities, and complete the test exam provided to prepare for the actual exam.
March 6th, 2025 September, 2025
(date to be announced) 		Entrance exam date Attend the entrance exam online. Ensure you have all required equipment and are familiar with the exam platform.
March 15th, 2025 September, 2025
(date to be announced) 		GRE/GATE score submission Submit your GRE or GATE scores via the respective portal if you wish to qualify for an exemption from the entrance exam.