The TMS (Test für Medizinische Studiengänge) is a golden key to improving your chances of getting into medical school in Germany—especially if your Abitur grade isn’t perfect (1.0 or 1.1).
A strong TMS result can move you up significantly in the selection process. That’s why you’ll find strategic, proven tips below to help you achieve the highest possible score.
First: What is the TMS in brief?
An academic aptitude test designed for medical degree programs.
It is held twice a year (May and November).
Duration: about 5.5 to 6 hours and includes 9 sections.
It measures:
concentration ability
scientific understanding
visual skills
memory
logical reasoning
Your goal: achieve a high percentile rank (Prozentrang > 80%)
The more your score places you among the top 10–20% of participants, the higher your chances of admission—even if your Abitur grade is 1.4 or 1.5.
Golden tips by TMS section
1. Understanding complex texts
Train fast reading while extracting the main idea.
Take notes as you read to mark comparisons and conclusions.
Use articles from “Spektrum” or “Science”.
2. Diagrams and tables
Practice reading charts quickly.
Don’t analyze everything—only what the question asks.
Get comfortable with units: percentages, fractions, milli and micro.
3. Matching patterns (visual patterns)
Similar to IQ tests—it requires visual training.
Take time to understand how patterns are built, then practice repeatedly.
4. Memory (short-term memory – recalling medical terms)
Use the “Mind Palace” method to memorize terms.
Repeat information out loud and visualize scenarios.
Train by memorizing for 6 minutes, then recalling after 15 minutes.
5. Basic medical/scientific understanding
Review high-school basics in biology, chemistry, and physics.
You don’t need deep knowledge—just solid understanding of simple concepts.
Effective 6-week preparation plan
Weeks 1–2: Understand sections, try one full mock test, start training the toughest sections.
Weeks 3–4: Targeted training for each section (1–2 per day) and review mistakes.
Week 5: Full mock exams under strict time pressure.
Week 6: General review, timing practice, strengthen weak points.
Useful tools during preparation
Well-known prep books:
TMS Trainer (Medgurus)
Hogrefe TMS Vorbereitung
Interactive training websites:
medgurus.de
studyhelp.de
tms-zentrum.de
Common mistakes to avoid
Relying only on “natural understanding”—TMS is a trainable skill, not just intelligence.
Focusing on only one section—this weakens performance elsewhere.
Ignoring time-pressure practice—you may solve well but fail in real-time conditions.
Not analyzing past mistakes—you won’t improve if you don’t learn from errors.
Do I need a paid prep course?
Not necessary, but very helpful if you need motivation and discipline.
Best approach: combine an intensive course with personal at-home practice.
Conclusion
TMS is challenging, but it’s manageable—and you can excel with smart training.
It’s not a test of “brain power only,” but of how well you understand its system and prepare practically for it.
The website’s authors and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and consulting multiple sources. However, some errors may occur or certain details may be unconfirmed. Please treat the information as an initial reference and always consult the relevant official authorities for verified information.
