FAQ
dMAT questions, answered.
Everything below reflects the announced 2027 dMAT sessions and the official g.a.s.t. and APS India material. Where a rule could change, the answer says so — and the 2027 exam dates and application deadlines are the details most likely to move.
- 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. The mock test page lets you pick a subtest — Latin squares, mathematical equations, figure sequences or the general academic module — and the first task is waiting straight away. 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 next dMAT exam date in 2027?
- Two dMAT test dates are announced for 2027: 16 January 2027 (apply between 28 October 2026 and 4 January 2027, results on 8 February 2027) and 13 March 2027 (apply between 28 October 2026 and 1 March 2027, results on 5 April 2027). Both are computer-based. Always confirm current dates on d-mat.de before you register.
- When is the dMAT registration deadline?
- For the 16 January 2027 test, the application deadline is 4 January 2027. For the 13 March 2027 test, it is 1 March 2027. Applications for both opened on 28 October 2026. The first cycle in 2026 (test on 26 September 2026) is already over.
- Is the dMAT hard, and do I need paid coaching?
- The dMAT is not easy — the time pressure and the ban on rough paper catch out people who did not practise. But you do not need to pay for coaching or a test series. The test is based on reasoning, critical thinking and practice, so free resources are enough: timed mock tests like the free ones on dmatgrid and the official g.a.s.t. preparation material. Practise as much as you can before your test date.