Feststellungs-prüfung: The Studienkolleg assessment test to study in Germany
Prepare for the official university entrance exam in Germany
Start your studies with the Feststellungsprüfung
If your school-leaving certificate is not recognised in Germany as a direct university entrance qualification, the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP – assessment test) is a necessary step to begin your studies. At the Studienkolleg Prep4University, we prepare you intensively and purposefully for this exam. Within just one year, you lay the foundation for your academic future in Germany. Below you will find everything you need to know about the FSP.
FAQs
Here we answer the most important questions about the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) and your study opportunities in Germany.
What is Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) or the entrance exam in Germany?
“Feststellungsprüfung” translates to “Examination to determine the suitability of applicants with foreign educational certificates (“Bildungsausländer”) to take up studies at universities in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)”.
The Studienkolleg Prep4University prepares students in two semesters in cooperation with the Cologne District Government for the successful completion of the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) in the W-course (economics and social sciences) & T-course (mathematics, science, or technical study courses). You can take the assessment test internally with us in either German or English.
Who must take the entrance exam?
Students with foreign educational certificates must usually take the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test) at the beginning of their studies in Germany in order to gain access to higher education.
At the end of our preparatory course Prep4University, all those students who fulfill the formal requirements for access to the Feststellungsprüfung can take the so-called Feststellungsprüfung (FSP).
What happens after passing the FSP assessment test at a Studienkolleg?
After successfully passing the FSP, our students receive a recognized certificate which entitles them to study in North Rhine-Westphalia (English-language FSP) or nationwide (German-language FSP).The legal basis is the regulation on the Assessment Examination for Admission to Higher Education (University Assessment Examination Regulation – PO-FeP-Hochschule). The relevant provisions are set out in Annex 1 to the PO-FeP-Hochschule (Regulation) – State Law of North Rhine-Westphalia, Section 2 (2).
CBS is commissioned by the Cologne District Government (Bezirksregierung Köln) to conduct the FSP. The English-language FSP is based formally and in terms of content on the specifications of the examination regulations for the specialisation W-course.
The written examination subjects in the English Track W-Course include:
- English (Level: C1)
- Mathematics
- Economics
the oral or written examination subject is German (German as a foreign language) on level B1
The written examination subjects in the German Track W-Course include:
- German (Level: C1)
- Mathematics
- Economics
the oral examination subject is English on level B1
We offer the internal assessment exam twice a year, in the summer and winter semesters.
How often may I repeat the FSP assessment test?
The FSP assessment test can only be repeated once in total.
Can I choose whether I want to take the Feststellungsprüfung or start studying directly?
No, whether you are allowed to take part in the Feststellungsprüfung or attend a Studienkolleg depends on your high school diploma and the associated admission criteria for university entrance in Germany.
When do the FSP assessment tests take place?
There are 2 ways to take the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) in North Rhine-Westphalia: Centrally at the District Government of Cologne as a so-called “external assessment test” (German Track only) – or, for example, at the Studienkolleg Prep4University, which is commissioned by the District Government of Cologne to administer the test itself (German & English Track).
The FSP at the District Government takes place on 2 dates: End of May / beginning of June and end of November / beginning of December.
Attention: The Feststellungsprüfung is considered to be a subject-limited university entrance qualification.
The assessment test is only valid for the chosen field of study. You decide this with the choice of the course. If you take a preparatory course with the focus “G”, you can then only take humanities study programmes, with the “M-course” everything to do with medicine. Prep4Universityoffers both the “W & T-courses”. This qualifies you for business and social science as well as mathematical, science, and technical courses in the chosen language.
What is the CBS entrance examination?
We also offer the possibility of taking the final examination as an internal university entrance examination of the CBS International Business School if you do not fulfill the formal requirements for the Feststellungsprüfung according to anabin, but have a university entrance qualification in your home country.
The content of this final examination is identical to the one of the Feststellungsprüfung.
The form and content of the English-language final examination or internal entrance examination are based on the specifications of the examination regulations for the specialisation course W.
The written examination subjects in the English Track include:
- English (Level: C1)
- Mathematics
- Economics
the oral examination subject is German (German as a foreign language)
The written examination subjects in the German Track include:
- German (Level: C1)
- Mathematics
- Economics
the oral examination subject is English
If you need further information about Prep4University or the assessment or final examination, our student advisors will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
You are not sure whether you meet the formal requirements for the Feststellungsprüfung or the internal university entrance examination?
Feel free to send us your current school reports and/or secondary school certificates by e-mail to prep4uni@cbs.de so that we can give you guaranteed information.
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