Reading time: 4 mins

Welcome aboard our DSH preparation course! Let me take a moment to show you how to get the best out of your experience here. While we'll delve into the course overview in the next lecture, this introduction aims to save you heaps of time and potential frustration. Give it a quick read—it'll only take 4 minutes but can spare both of us hours and ensure a smooth sailing journey together.

Ready to dive into DSH preparation?

Let's set the record straight: This course doesn't teach German per se, but it’s here to prime you for the DSH exam. You'll become well-versed in the types of tasks you'll encounter, gain an understanding of the time required for each, and gain insight into your readiness for the DSH. When I've got some handy tips up my sleeve, you'll be the first to know! But remember, acing the DSH exam requires significant effort. More than just a language test, it gauges your intelligence and education level. Therefore, your language proficiency should ideally be at least at the B2 level, though C1 is preferred. C2, while not necessary, isn’t out of the question either if your university demands it.

Skipping your C1 classes and jumping straight into the DSH prep may seem like a shortcut, but it could end up costing you dearly. I wouldn't advise that. Ensure your German is up to par—that is, capable of understanding complex texts and expressing yourself at an academic level.

A considerable number of students, both German and international, have struggled in their academic journey at some point—around 28% of German students and 48% of non-German students don't finish their studies, according to 2012 data. The reasons are varied, but language skills often play a significant role. And remember, these figures include many students who somehow passed their DSH exam. 

There isn’t quite another online course like this out there, so you've got a golden opportunity to prepare with professional guidance.

Language level requirements

Before embarking on this course, you should have at least completed your B2. If you haven’t reached B2, you might find yourself spinning your wheels. If you’re halfway through B2, you might stand a chance, but my advice is crystal clear: only once you’ve got a solid B2, is this the right course for you. If you decide to use it before reaching this level, you’re doing so at your own risk.

Support is available, but no free correction service

Throughout your preparation, you can count on my support via our community, accessible via the monster widget in the lower right corner when logged into your course. It’s impossible to miss! If you don't see it, please try the troubleshooting steps in the community, as you might be using a VPN or stuck behind a firewall. However, I won't be able to correct or provide detailed feedback on your texts or oral inputs. I simply don't have the capacity or desire to spend all my time correcting learners' German texts. I’ve been down that road and discovered more effective teaching methods that don’t require extensive correction by another person.

Over time, I'll develop tools that offer automated feedback, for instance, through ChatGPT, which should suffice for your successful preparation. If you feel the need to have your texts corrected, you may find help here (affiliate link). Just make sure they only correct your texts, without any extra teaching. (Michael: add other platforms that deal with text correction e.g. Reddit)

Support also means that if you ever find an instruction unclear, encounter a technical issue, or feel frustrated, I'm here for you 24/7. I'll respond whenever I check the community platform and see your request, typically several times a day, though less so on weekends and during the night.

Quick fixes for technical issues

Almost all technical issues can be resolved by you using the troubleshooting measures in the First Aid Kit channel in the community. Or, just do a quick search there—you’ll find them within 10 seconds. Give them a try whenever something doesn't work as expected. No need to play tech support yourself—our measures have got you covered and can spare you lots of frustration. If they don't work, reach out to me via the Community, and I'll take a look. However, it would really help me (and save my hair from graying) if you took a moment to try fixing the issue with the provided measures. In my decade of experience, I can tell you with almost certainty—99% or perhaps even 99.9%—the problem likely resides on your end.

Now, let's embark on a swift exploration of the DSH exam itself, and then you'll be all set to dive into your first task. Ready? Let's go!