70% in Class XII and a new dMAT test: what changes for 2027

Bachelor's applicants from India now need at least 70% in Class XII. Many Master's applicants must also take a test called the dMAT before they get their APS certificate. These are the 2027 admission rules for Germany that matter most for Indian students.

In an earlier post we explained how long the APS certificate takes and why you should start early. APS is the document check Indian students need before applying. That advice still holds. This post covers only what has changed since then.

What has changed for the 2027 intake?

Until now, APS only checked your documents. With the dMAT, it also tests your ability. That makes the process harder and slower, especially for popular fields like engineering and business.

Do you need to take the dMAT?

You do if your bachelor's degree is in one of these fields:

• Engineering or Technology (all B.Tech and B.Eng degrees)
• Commerce and Economics
• Business and Management

PhD applicants don't need it. Bachelor's applicants don't need it. Students from other fields, like Arts or pure Sciences, are also exempt.

The dMAT is a standard aptitude test (it checks how well you think and study) run by g.a.s.t. It has a core module for thinking and analysis skills, and a General Academic Module. You register on the official dMAT portal with a valid passport.

How do the dMAT dates change your application timeline?

The test has two confirmed dates in 2027: 16 January (Cycle 1) and 13 March (Cycle 2). Registration is open now.

Now look at the Summer 2027 deadline. It is typically 15 January 2027. The first test is on 16 January, one day later. So if you haven't taken the dMAT yet, Summer 2027 looks very tight. Check your university's exact deadline before you plan.

For the Winter 2027/28 intake, the deadline is typically 15 July 2027. Here the 13 March test is the latest safe option. After you get your APS certificate, uni-assist needs another 4 to 6 weeks. That is the central service many German universities use for international applications.

You can send your APS documents early. APS India then starts checking them. But it holds your final certificate until your dMAT score report is verified. So the test, not the paperwork, decides your date.

My advice for Master's applicants: treat the dMAT as step one, not the last step. Book it before you do anything else.

What is the 70% rule for Bachelor's applicants?

You now need at least 70% of the maximum possible marks in your Class XII certificate. It applies to every Indian board. If your total is out of 500, for example, you need 350 or more.

It affects two groups. The first is Class XII students who want to join a Studienkolleg (a preparation course for international students before university). The second is students who want direct, subject-restricted admission after one year of a recognised Bachelor's in India.

Before this, the minimum changed from one university and Studienkolleg to the next. Now there is one clear baseline. That helps you plan. It also means a score below 70% no longer meets the rule.

Check your marks first. Do it before you pay any application fee or apply for an APS certificate.

Have the language proof rules changed?

Not at national level. There are no big new language rules for 2027. But universities are getting stricter, and that's what catches students.

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is a letter from your Indian college saying your classes were in English. Many universities reject it. The University of Trier says clearly that an MOI letter is not enough.

You need a formal test score instead:

• English-taught programmes: IELTS (often 6.5 minimum) or TOEFL.
• German-taught programmes: TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat, usually at B2 or C1 level.

The exact score depends on your programme. Look it up in the DAAD database or on the university's own page. If you are still searching for programmes, our guide to finding free Master's programmes with the DAAD can help.

What should you do now?

1. Master's applicant in engineering, commerce or business: register for the dMAT on the g.a.s.t. portal.
2. Send your APS documents early so the checking starts while you prepare for the test.
3. Bachelor's applicant: confirm that your Class XII total is at least 70% before you spend money.
4. Book IELTS, TOEFL or a German test early. Don't depend on an MOI letter.
5. Read the rules on aps-india.de again before you pay. Details can change.

If you want the Winter 2027/28 intake, remember one date: 13 March 2027 is your last safe dMAT slot.

Cover photo: Shay T on Pexels