Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) at the Studienkolleg

Subjects, format, pass mark, grade calculation, exemption from the German part and the external FSP — with clear notes on what varies by federal state.

What the Feststellungsprüfung is

The Feststellungsprüfung is the final exam of the Studienkolleg. It establishes whether you are ready for German higher education in both subject knowledge and language. Once passed, it forms your university entrance qualification together with your school certificate.

Two points are often missed. First, the FSP only counts together with your foreign certificate — it does not replace the Abitur, it completes your qualification. Second, it is usually subject-bound: it admits you to the field group of your course, not to any subject.

Which subjects are examined

This depends on your specialisation course. There are five, and G and S are combined at many Kollegs:

• T course — engineering and natural sciences: German, maths, physics, chemistry, at some Kollegs computer science.
• M course — medicine, pharmacy, biology: German, biology, chemistry, physics, sometimes maths.
• W course — economics and social sciences: German, maths, economics, sometimes English.
• G course — humanities: German, history, literature, social studies or geography.
• S course — languages: German, a second foreign language, plus literature or history.

Not every taught subject is examined. The usual pattern is three written papers and at least one oral. Which subjects exactly is decided by your Studienkolleg, so always check its own examination regulations.

How the exam works

Written papers usually last 180 minutes, German often longer, frequently 210 minutes. The oral exam is normally up to 30 minutes with preparation time beforehand. Some Kollegs examine three subjects in writing and two orally.

An oral exam can be compulsory if the written mark is not sufficient, or voluntary to improve the grade. All tasks are in German, technical vocabulary included, and in the sciences your working is marked, not just the answer.

One difference from the entrance test that often catches people out: in the FSP many Kollegs allow a formula sheet and a calculator in maths and physics, whereas the entrance test usually does not. That shifts the emphasis from fast arithmetic to setting up and justifying your approach. The exact rules are stated in your exam invitation.

Passing and grade calculation

The usual rule is that the exam is passed if the final grade in each examined subject is no worse than 4.0. A single failed subject can often be retaken the following semester without repeating the whole exam.

In many states the overall grade is the arithmetic mean of the final grades, to one decimal place and without rounding. Bavaria works differently: there the certificate grade combines the exam grade with the course grade of the second semester, so your work during the year counts as well.

For your application a second calculation matters: your application grade is formed from the converted grade of your foreign certificate and your FSP grade. For restricted subjects such as medicine this number decides admission, so it is worth checking in advance how your target university calculates it.

Exemption from the German part, and what it does to your grade

Many Studienkollegs grant exemption from the German part if your language level is proven another way, for example TestDaF, DSH or a comparable certificate. There is no single nationwide rule; your Kolleg decides.

The point almost nobody mentions: if German is not proven through the FSP, the subject is often left out of the overall grade. So the exemption does not merely remove an exam, it changes the denominator of your average. If German is your strong subject you lose a good mark; if it is your weak one you protect your average.

The exemption is therefore a calculation, not a default. Both routes are reasonable: take the exemption, or prepare the German paper properly and let that mark count towards your average.

External FSP: without a Studienkolleg

The exam can also be taken externally, without having attended a Studienkolleg. In North Rhine-Westphalia this is the only route, as the Kollegs at universities there closed after the winter semester of 2010/2011.

Expect stricter conditions: proof that attending a Kolleg is not possible, above-average school grades, a C1 language certificate, sometimes compulsory counselling sessions, a fee and fixed registration deadlines. Above all, pass rates are far below those of Kolleg graduates, who pass at roughly 85 to 90 per cent. This is not a route to take unprepared.

How we prepare you for the FSP

We work one to one and online, in maths, physics and German. Lessons follow your Kolleg's examination regulations and your specific course rather than a generic syllabus. We also train subject language, since the exam is in German and your reasoning has to be written out.

We specifically take external candidates. There the whole framework of a Kolleg is missing — no teaching, no mock exams, no schedule — and that is exactly what the preparation has to replace.

Frequently asked questions

See also: how to get into a Studienkolleg, the free C-Test online and the maths test.