TMS preparation: how to prepare for the new TMSnat
From 2027, the TMSnat is meant to replace the previous TMS and the HAM-Nat. This page sets out what is established for your TMS and TMSnat preparation, which official materials exist and how to practise the eight task groups sensibly. Page last updated: 1 October 2026.
The key facts for your planning
- First planned date: 8/9 May 2027. Registration is expected to open in February 2027.
- Scope: 8 task groups with 176 tasks in total, 298 minutes of net test time plus a 60-minute break.
- Retakes and cost: The TMSnat may be repeated as often as you like. According to tms-info.org, the test fee stays at €100.
- Official practice materials: We did not find a complete TMSnat practice test in the sources we checked. According to tms-info.org, you can practise with the official material for the previous TMS and with the HAM-Nat preparation platform viaMINT.
The eight task groups and how to practise them
Structure according to the planning status of 26 June 2026. The right-hand column contains our practice suggestions. The German names are given because the test is in German.
| Task group | Tasks / time | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge of natural sciences (Naturwissenschaftliche Kenntnisse) | 40 / 60 min | Revise the basics of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, for example with the modules on the viaMINT platform. |
| Basic understanding of medicine and natural sciences (Medizinisch-naturwissenschaftliches Grundverständnis) | 20 / 50 min | Practise with the official material for the previous TMS. |
| Quantitative and formal problems (Quantitative und formale Probleme) | 20 / 50 min | Official TMS material and our simulation with 20 questions in 50 minutes. |
| Memorising facts, learning and recall phase (Fakten lernen) | 20 each / 6 and 7 min | Official TMS material. In the planned sequence, the reading comprehension group lies between learning and recall, so practise remembering facts across a longer interruption. |
| Reading comprehension (Textverständnis) | 20 / 50 min | Official TMS material, and regularly read demanding German non-fiction texts against the clock. |
| Charts and tables (Diagramme und Tabellen) | 20 / 50 min | Official TMS material, and evaluate figures from specialist texts quickly. |
| Arithmetic problem solving (Arithmetisches Problemlösen) | 16 / 25 min | Our simulation with 16 questions in 25 minutes, and train mental arithmetic. |
Source for structure and times: tms-info.org, “Geplante Zusammensetzung des TMSnat” (planned composition of the TMSnat), status 26 June 2026. More on the pages TMSnat structure and TMSnat overview.
A possible plan for your TMS preparation
How long you need depends on your prior knowledge. There is no official recommendation on this. We suggest a sequence in four phases:
- Find your starting point: Work through one practice block per task group under time pressure, without studying first. This shows you where you stand and where most of your time should go.
- Train the groups one by one: Start with your weakest groups. After each block, read the worked solutions, including for questions you got right.
- Build up speed: Practise each group with the planned time. Depending on the group, the TMSnat gives you roughly one and a half to two and a half minutes per task (memorising facts has its own timing).
- Simulate in one go: The net test time is just under five hours, plus a one-hour break. Before the test date, do at least one full-length run to practise concentration and breaks.
Common mistakes in TMS preparation
- Only practising without a clock: Without time pressure, many people solve almost everything. The difference only shows with the clock running, so practise with the planned times early on.
- Putting off the groups you dislike: Every group counts. The groups you find hardest are often where practice brings the biggest gain.
- Using outdated material unchecked: Many books and courses still refer to the previous TMS. Some of its task groups, such as Schlauchfiguren (tube figures) or Muster zuordnen (pattern matching), no longer appear in the planned structure of the TMSnat. Check your material against the planned structure.
- Missing registration: Registration for the first date is expected to open in February 2027. The providers publish exact deadlines on tms-info.org. All known dates are on the page TMSnat dates.
What about the previous TMS?
According to tms-info.org, the autumn round of 2026 is the last TMS in its previous form. How long an earlier TMS result is recognised is decided by each university. If you have already taken a TMS, ask the universities you are applying to.
Practise for free
On tmssimulation.de you can practise two task groups with the planned number of questions and time, with instant scoring and worked solutions: go to the TMSnat simulation. These are our own practice questions, not an original test.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I prepare for the TMSnat?
There is no official figure, and it depends heavily on your prior knowledge. Plan so that you can practise every task group several times under time pressure and do at least one complete run before the test date.
Are there official TMSnat practice questions yet?
We did not find a complete TMSnat practice test in the sources we checked. The providers refer to the official material for the previous TMS and to the viaMINT platform.
Do I need a preparation course?
A course is not a requirement for taking part. Whether it is worthwhile for you depends on how well you can organise yourself and which groups you find difficult.
Can I retake the TMSnat?
Yes. According to tms-info.org, the TMSnat may be repeated as often as you like. The test fee is currently €100.
Sources
- tms-info.org, announcement of 26 June 2026 on the further development of the student selection tests (start, dates, fee, repeatability, practice materials).
- “Geplante Zusammensetzung des TMSnat” (PDF, status 26 June 2026).
- viaMINT, preparation platform for the HAM-Nat (German).
- 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.