What's on the dMAT syllabus?
The dMAT syllabus has two mandatory parts, the Core Module and one Subject Module. Every test taker sits both, in the same sitting, at the same test centre.- Core Module: three cognitive subtests that don't depend on your degree at all.
- Subject Module: on the standard APS route, a single option called the General Academic Module. You don't choose it, and you don't get asked about your undergraduate discipline anywhere in registration.
What are the three Core Module subtests?
The Core Module tests general cognitive ability through three separate subtests, not subject knowledge. They're identical for every applicant, regardless of field.| Subtest | What it tests | Confirmed timing |
|---|---|---|
| Figure Sequences | Predicting the next figure or matrix in a visual sequence | 20 series in 25 minutes |
| Mathematical Equations | Letter and symbol-substitution equation logic, plus applied arithmetic reasoning | 20 questions in 25 minutes |
| Latin Squares | Placing elements into a grid under strict row and column constraints, Sudoku-style logic | 20 tasks in 25 minutes (reported once, not independently double-checked) |
| Subtest | Confirmed topics tested | Confirmed NOT tested |
|---|---|---|
| Figure Sequences | Positional/movement patterns with increasing step counts, a bounce-off-the-edge rule, a wrap-along-the-edge rule, rotation/orientation change, color/shading change | Reflection or symmetry, shape-count progression, size-scaling |
| Mathematical Equations | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division with letter unknowns, substitution, multi-variable linear systems (up to 4 simultaneous unknowns) | Ratios, percentages, geometry |
| Latin Squares | Fixed 5x5 grid, letters A to E only, one rule (each letter once per row and once per column) | Any grid-size or rule variation across difficulty levels |
What does the General Academic Module actually test?
The General Academic Module tests applied reasoning, not memorized subject knowledge. It's a short passage followed by single-choice questions, four options each, the same format as the Core Module. The PDF contains exactly four full worked exercises, and each one borrows the language of a different subject.| Exercise | Subject framing | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Vector Calculations | Math/geometry | Vector arithmetic plus a Pythagorean-theorem-based length formula |
| Hydrostatics | Physics | Pressure and buoyancy |
| Optimal Order Quantity | Business/operations research | Inventory formulas |
| Research Strategies in Social Sciences | Research methodology | Deductive versus inductive reasoning |
Is there a separate dMAT syllabus for your degree subject?
No, not if you're applying through the standard APS route. The registration portal offers exactly one Subject Module option, the General Academic Module, regardless of whether you studied engineering, commerce, or business. This trips up a lot of applicants because d-mat.de's marketing pages list six other named Subject Modules, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Data Science. Seeing that list makes it easy to assume you'll need to pick one that matches your background. You won't. Those six modules are tied to specific programs, Battery Science at RWTH Aachen and Data Science at Goettingen, and they're invitation-managed inside those universities' own admissions pipelines. A general APS applicant can't self-register for any of them. The live registration dropdown confirms this directly, it only ever offers the General Academic Module. There's no Biology module either. If you've seen it mentioned somewhere online, that's not supported anywhere on an official page. One genuine source of confusion is worth flagging. The German-language version of d-mat.de still prominently displays the Battery Science and Data Science prep material, even though it doesn't apply to APS-route applicants. If you land on that page and see battery-systems content, it's not a mistake on your end, and it's not relevant to your exam.How does the General Academic Module compare to the other subject modules?
| Subject Module | Tied to | Open to standard APS applicants? |
|---|---|---|
| General Academic Module | No specific program | Yes, this is the only one you'll see at registration |
| Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering | RWTH Aachen's Battery Science programme | No, invitation-managed |
| Computer Science, Data Science | Goettingen's admissions pipeline | No, invitation-managed |
Where can you find official dMAT syllabus material?
d-mat.de is the only source you should treat as authoritative right now. There's no separate syllabus or exam-pattern page, but three things are there for you.- The Preparatory Materials PDF: the actual detail lives here, every worked example above comes from it.
- Sample tasks and worked solutions: hosted directly on d-mat.de, covering both the Core Module subtests and the General Academic Module.
- Instructional videos: a short explainer per subtest, useful as an overview but not a substitute for working the PDF's actual examples.
Which Subject Module do I take?
On the standard APS route, there's only one option, the General Academic Module. It's the same for every applicant, regardless of your undergraduate discipline. Registration doesn't ask about your academic background, and the other six named modules aren't something a general applicant can select.Can I use a calculator or scratch paper on the dMAT?
No. The official terms and conditions ban all of the following during the exam.- Calculators and other electronic devices
- Notes of any kind, the official term is "notice papers," not "scratch paper" the way a lot of other sites phrase it
- Mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches
