New APS Regulations for Germany: New Assessment Standards from Summer Semester 2027 Onwards, Enrolled Students Eligible for TestAS

To apply to German universities with a Chinese academic background, the vast majority of applicants must first pass the APS review. Recently, the APS website issued an important notice: the evaluation recommendations for university entrance qualifications have been revised. Applications received by the APS from September 1, 2026, onwards will have their entrance qualifications determined according to the new recommendations. This applies to applicants with Chinese academic credentials applying for admission in the Summer Semester 2027 and later.

In addition, current undergraduate students can still register for the TestAS (TestAS 060) instead of the review interview. The exam date is October 24, 2026. Details are provided below.

New Evaluation Recommendations for University Entrance Qualifications: Effective Dates

The key points from the original APS notice are as follows:

• The new evaluation recommendations apply to all applicants holding Chinese academic credentials who are applying for admission to German universities for the Summer Semester 2027 and later.
• All review applications received by the APS from September 1, 2026, onwards (based on the date of signature and receipt by the APS) will have their German university entrance qualifications determined according to the latest evaluation recommendations.

Please note that the "University Entrance Qualifications" page on the APS website lists the effective date as September 15, 2026, which differs from the September 1 date mentioned in the notice. We have listed both dates as they appear; the actual effective date is subject to the latest instructions on the APS website. If your documents are being sent during this period, we recommend contacting the APS directly via email.

Under the new regulations, specific thresholds such as Gaokao scores and the number of completed undergraduate semesters are published in a chart on the APS website. Since we have not verified every figure in the chart, this article does not restate the specific criteria. Prospective applicants should check the latest chart on the "University Entrance Qualifications" page of the APS website before submitting their applications to verify their own eligibility.

The text on the page also specifies several special cases:

• Applicants for vocational bachelor's programs: Entrance qualifications can only be determined based on Gaokao scores under the relevant applicable conditions.
• Applicants for top-up bachelor's degree programs: Must obtain their bachelor's diploma and degree certificate before they are eligible for direct admission.
• Students without a high school diploma: Must also complete their undergraduate studies before becoming eligible.

Current Undergraduate Students: TestAS 060 as an Alternative to the Interview

The "General Domestic Applicants Procedure" (Procedure C) typically requires a review interview. Since July 23, 2024, the APS has implemented an adjustment: eligible applicants can register for the TestAS instead of the interview. The current exam session is TestAS 060, scheduled for October 24, 2026.

To be eligible to register, applicants must already possess direct university entrance qualifications for Germany and meet the following two conditions:

1. Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a Chinese university, including students in the 8th semester of a four-year program or the 10th semester of a five-year program.
2. Have not previously taken the TestAS or participated in a review interview under the "General Domestic Applicants Procedure".

Key details to note:

• Document Deadline: Application documents for this session must be mailed to the APS Beijing office by August 14, 2026 (based on the date of receipt). This session is now closed. For the next exam schedule, please follow the notices on the APS website.
• Evaluation Criteria: The review result is determined by a comprehensive comparison of the TestAS score and the transcripts submitted by the applicant, regardless of the number of semesters completed.
• What if you don't pass: Those who do not pass the TestAS will automatically be transferred to the interview review, with no additional fee for this interview. If the interview is also not passed, there is one more opportunity for a re-interview, which requires an additional fee of 2,500 RMB.
• Certificate: Upon passing, an electronic review certificate will be issued, which is valid permanently and can be used to apply to all German universities. After graduation, you can apply for a re-review using your diploma and degree certificate; no further interview is required for the re-review.

The following applicants are still required to attend an interview:

• Applicants who have already graduated with a bachelor's degree
• Applicants who have attended an interview but did not pass
• Graduates of three-year junior colleges
• Current students at non-Project 211 regular universities who have not completed at least 3 semesters
• Applicants applying to universities in Austria, Belgium, and the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland

Current Review Fees (From April 7, 2025)

Review Item	Fee (RMB)
General Domestic Applicants Procedure (Procedure C): Review Interview	2,500
General Domestic Applicants Procedure (Procedure C): TestAS	2,500
Re-interview	2,500
Re-review	2,000
Gaokao Procedure	2,500
Document Review Procedure (Procedure D)	1,000
Short-term Exchange Procedure (Procedure A)	2,000

The above fees do not include visa fees. The APS also states that refunds for withdrawn applications are not accepted. For fees related to other review procedures, such as those for Belgium and Austria, please refer to the APS fees page.

Additionally, the APS website includes a special declaration: the APS does not have any form of cooperation with Chinese educational agencies.

Advice for Applicants

• Confirm your procedure first. The applicable procedures and requirements differ for current students, graduates, direct Gaokao applicants, and top-up degree applicants.
• Re-verify your entrance qualifications under the new rules. If you plan to enroll in the Summer Semester 2027 or later, you must check the new chart again, even if you have previously reviewed the old standards.
• Allow sufficient time for the review. You can only apply to universities and process your visa after passing the review. We recommend placing the APS review at the very beginning of your overall application timeline.
• Current students should follow the next TestAS session. If eligible, compare whether the exam or the interview is more suitable for you and prepare in advance.

This article is for informational purposes only. All regulations are subject to the latest announcements on the APS website.

Need Help?

If you plan to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in Germany and want to map out the sequence of your APS review, language exams, and university applications, check out our University Application Planning Service, or directly Book a consultation with an admissions counselor.

References

• APS: Revised Evaluation Recommendations for University Entrance Qualifications
• APS: University Entrance Qualifications
• APS: Adjustments to the "General Domestic Applicants Procedure"
• APS: Review Fees