TMSnat structure: 8 task groups, duration and sequence
How is the TMSnat structured? According to the planning status of 26 June 2026, it consists of eight multiple-choice task groups with 176 tasks and 298 minutes of test time. This page shows the order, duration and number of tasks of each group, what changes compared with the previous TMS and what the sources leave open. Page last updated: 1 October 2026.
The TMSnat structure at a glance
- 8 task groups with 176 tasks in total, all in multiple-choice format.
- 298 minutes of net test time (4 hours 58 minutes) plus a 60-minute break. Together that is 358 minutes, just under six hours.
- Sequence: Three groups before the break, five after it. The group “Fakten lernen” (memorising facts) is split into two phases, with reading comprehension in between.
- Largest group: Knowledge of natural sciences, with 40 tasks.
Sequence and duration as a timeline
The length of each section corresponds to its duration. The two short phases of “Fakten lernen” (blue) are widened for legibility. The numbers match the table.
| Task group in the planned order | Tasks / time | Calculated: time per task, share of the 176 tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Knowledge of natural sciences (Naturwissenschaftliche Kenntnisse) | 40 / 60 min | 1.5 minutes per task, 22.7 % |
| 2. Basic understanding of medicine and natural sciences (Medizinisch-naturwissenschaftliches Grundverständnis) | 20 / 50 min | 2.5 minutes per task, 11.4 % |
| 3. Quantitative and formal problems (Quantitative und formale Probleme) | 20 / 50 min | 2.5 minutes per task, 11.4 % |
| Break (Pause) | 60 min | Between group 3 and group 4. |
| 4. Memorising facts, learning phase (Fakten lernen, Einprägephase) | 20 / 6 min | 6 minutes to memorise 20 facts, 11.4 % |
| 5. Reading comprehension (Textverständnis) | 20 / 50 min | 2.5 minutes per task, 11.4 % |
| 6. Memorising facts, recall phase (Fakten lernen, Reproduktionsphase) | 20 / 7 min | about 21 seconds per task, 11.4 % |
| 7. Charts and tables (Diagramme und Tabellen) | 20 / 50 min | 2.5 minutes per task, 11.4 % |
| 8. Arithmetic problem solving (Arithmetisches Problemlösen) | 16 / 25 min | about 1.6 minutes per task, 9.1 % |
Source: tms-info.org, “Geplante Zusammensetzung des TMSnat”, status 26 June 2026. Total test time without the break: 298 minutes. A group's share of the tasks says nothing about its weighting in the result, because the scoring has not been published.
The task groups in detail
We found no example tasks for the TMSnat in the sources we checked. The following descriptions rely on the names, figures and order in the planning document.
Knowledge of natural sciences (40 tasks, 60 minutes)
The largest group: more than one in five tasks of the test belongs here. The name points to subject knowledge in the natural sciences. The sources we checked do not say exactly which topics are covered. Calculated per task, only one and a half minutes remain.
Basic understanding of medicine and natural sciences (20 tasks, 50 minutes)
According to its name, this is about understanding medical and scientific relationships. According to tms-info.org, you can practise for it with the official material for the previous TMS.
Quantitative and formal problems (20 tasks, 50 minutes)
Apply formulas, convert units, calculate relationships and growth. This group is also part of the practice material for the previous TMS. At 2.5 minutes per task, its pace is more generous than that of arithmetic problem solving. You can practise it here for free, with 20 tasks in 50 minutes.
Memorising facts: learning phase and recall phase (20 tasks each)
This group consists of two parts: in 6 minutes you memorise 20 facts, and in 7 minutes you later answer questions about them. In the planned sequence, the reading comprehension group lies in between, so you have to remember the facts across an interruption. The sources we checked do not say how the facts are presented.
Reading comprehension (20 tasks, 50 minutes)
Reading texts and answering questions about them. At 2.5 minutes per task, you have to divide your time well between reading and answering. For practice, tms-info.org names the official material for the previous TMS.
Charts and tables (20 tasks, 50 minutes)
Evaluating data from charts and tables. Here too, tms-info.org refers to the official material for the previous TMS.
Arithmetic problem solving (16 tasks, 25 minutes)
The shortest of the large groups: calculated per task, about one and a half minutes remain. You can practise it here for free, with 16 tasks in 25 minutes.
What changes compared with the TMS and HAM-Nat
- One test instead of two: The TMSnat combines task groups from the TMS and the HAM-Nat and is meant to replace both.
- No longer in the planning table: The groups Muster zuordnen (pattern matching), Schlauchfiguren (tube figures) and Figuren lernen (memorising figures) from the previous TMS do not appear in the planned structure of the TMSnat.
- Retained: Task groups such as reading comprehension, charts and tables, quantitative and formal problems and memorising facts are still present in the planning document. We do not know how closely the tasks resemble those of the previous TMS.
What the structure means for your preparation
- Stamina counts: Just under five hours of test time with an hour's break is long. In addition to individual groups, do at least one full-length run.
- Pace per group: The pace ranges from roughly one and a half to two and a half minutes per task. Work this out for each group and practise with the planned time.
- Scientific knowledge has a lot of room: Because of the 40 tasks, it is worth closing gaps here early. How the groups are weighted in the result is open.
- Practise group by group: You will find concrete practice suggestions for all eight groups on the page TMS preparation.
What is still open
- Content of the tasks: We did not find which topics and task types occur within the groups.
- Scoring and weighting: How the groups enter the result has not been published.
- Changes to the plan: All information reflects the planning status. You will find dates on the page TMSnat dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks does the TMSnat have?
According to the planning status of 26 June 2026, there are 176 tasks in eight task groups.
How long does the TMSnat take?
The net test time is 298 minutes, so just under five hours. A planned break of 60 minutes comes on top.
Is there a break?
Yes, the planning document provides a 60-minute break after the first three task groups.
Which TMS groups no longer exist in the TMSnat?
Muster zuordnen, Schlauchfiguren and Figuren lernen are not included in the planned structure of the TMSnat.
In which order are the groups taken?
First knowledge of natural sciences, basic understanding of medicine and natural sciences, and quantitative and formal problems. After the break come the learning phase of memorising facts, reading comprehension, the recall phase of memorising facts, charts and tables, and finally arithmetic problem solving.
Sources
- “Geplante Zusammensetzung des TMSnat” (PDF, status 26 June 2026): groups, numbers of tasks, times, order.
- tms-info.org, announcement of 26 June 2026 on the further development of the student selection tests.
- Announcement of the Auswahltestzentrale on the 2027 selection procedure (PDF, German).
Checked on 1 October 2026. In case of any discrepancy, the information in the sources always applies. This English page is a translation of the German original; the German page is authoritative.