FAQ
dMAT questions, answered.
Everything below reflects the first announced dMAT cycle and the official g.a.s.t. and APS India material. Where a rule could change, the answer says so.
- What is the dMAT?
- The dMAT, or digital Master Assessment Test, is a computer-based aptitude test from g.a.s.t. that has become part of the APS India process. It measures reasoning and academic reading rather than subject knowledge, and its certificate goes into your APS file alongside your documents.
- Who needs to take the dMAT?
- You need the dMAT if your bachelor's degree is in Engineering; Commerce, Accounting, Finance or Economics; or Business or Management, and you are applying for a master's programme in Germany starting in summer semester 2027 or later. You are exempt if you registered for APS online, submitted complete APS documents, or received an APS certificate before 29 June 2026, and also if you are a bachelor's or PhD applicant or your degree is outside those fields.
- Is the dMAT pass/fail?
- No. The dMAT is not pass/fail. You receive a certificate with your result, and it becomes one more document in your APS file. It does not replace APS or anabin, and universities decide what weight to give the result.
- What is the dMAT exam pattern?
- The dMAT has a core module and a general academic module. The core module has three subtests of 20 tasks and 25 minutes each: figure sequences, where you determine the next two matrices in a series from three options each; mathematical equations, where each letter is an integer between 1 and 20 and each system has exactly one solution; and Latin squares, a 5x5 grid of letters A to E where you identify the letter in the marked cell. The general academic module is 90 minutes: a text followed by single-choice questions with four options each and one correct answer. No calculator, rough paper or notes are allowed at any point.
- How long does the dMAT take in total?
- The core module is three subtests of 25 minutes each, so 75 minutes, and the general academic module is 90 minutes. That is about 165 minutes of testing time before breaks and onboarding.
- How much does the dMAT cost?
- The dMAT fee is EUR 150. It is charged on top of the EUR 225 APS fee, not included in it.
- Is this dMAT mock test really free, and do I need to create an account?
- Yes, it is free and no account, login, sign-up, email address or payment is required. Open the mock test page and the first task is already waiting. Your scores are stored only in your own browser, and you can install the site as an app to practise offline.
- Can I use a calculator or rough paper in the dMAT?
- No. No calculator, rough paper or notes are permitted at any point in the dMAT. Every deduction is done mentally, which is why practising the order of reasoning matters more than practising arithmetic speed.
- How should I prepare for the dMAT?
- Because the dMAT tests reasoning under time pressure rather than syllabus knowledge, preparation is mostly about pacing and method. Work timed sets so 75 seconds per Latin square task feels normal, practise deducing without writing anything down, learn to recognise which cell in a grid is forced first, and read dense academic texts on unfamiliar subjects to build up for the 90-minute academic module.
- When is the dMAT registration deadline?
- Registration for the first cycle opened on 29 June 2026 and closes on 15 September 2026. The first test date is 26 September 2026, with results and certificates from 12 October 2026. Always confirm current dates on d-mat.de before you register.