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Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) at the Studienkolleg

The Feststellungsprüfung (FSP, literally “assessment examination”) is the final exam of the Studienkolleg. Below: subjects by course, maths and physics topics, format, pass mark, exemption from German and the external FSP.

Not to be confused with the Fachsprachprüfung — also abbreviated FSP — the German language exam for doctors and other medical professionals. This page is about the Studienkolleg exam.

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.

What is tested in maths and physics (syllabus)

These are the topics that come up most often in the FSP. The exact syllabus is set by each Studienkolleg, so always check its own examination regulations.

Maths (T course; a reduced version in the W course)

Equations and inequalities, absolute values, systems of linear equations
Functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric
Differential calculus: curve sketching, optimisation problems
Integral calculus: antiderivatives, areas
Vectors and analytic geometry: lines and planes in space (mainly T course)
Sequences; in the W course often also financial maths and basic statistics

Physics (T course; shorter in the M course)

Mechanics: kinematics, Newton’s laws, work, energy, power, momentum, circular motion
Oscillations and waves
Electricity: electric field, circuits, Ohm’s law, magnetism and induction
Basics of thermodynamics and optics, at some Kollegs atomic physics

We prepare students for these topics in one-to-one lessons — following the syllabus of their Studienkolleg and course, including the way solutions are expected to be written up in the exam.

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.

Ready to start preparing for the FSP?

Tell us which Studienkolleg, which course and when the exam is. We will tell you honestly what is realistic in the time left.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Feststellungsprüfung mean in English?

Literally “assessment examination”. It is the final exam of the Studienkolleg for international applicants whose school certificate does not give direct access to German universities. Not to be confused with the Fachsprachprüfung (also FSP), the language exam for doctors.

What is the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP)?

The FSP is the final exam of the Studienkolleg. Together with your school-leaving certificate it gives you the right to enter German universities, usually limited to the subject group of your course.

Which subjects are examined in the FSP?

It depends on your course (T, M, W, G or S). German is examined almost always, plus the core subjects of your course. Not every taught subject is examined — the exact list is set by each Studienkolleg.

When is the FSP considered passed?

Typically the exam is passed if the final grade in every examined subject is no worse than 4.0. The exact rule is set by your federal state or Studienkolleg.

How is the overall grade calculated?

In many states it is the arithmetic mean of the final grades, to one decimal place and without rounding. In Bavaria the course grade of the second semester also counts. For your application the FSP grade is then combined with the converted grade of your school certificate.

Can you be exempted from the German part of the FSP?

Many Studienkollegs exempt you from the German part if you prove your language level in another way, for example TestDaF or DSH. Note that if German is not proven through the FSP, the subject is often left out of the overall grade, so the exemption also changes your average.

What happens if you fail the FSP?

Usually the exam may be repeated once, in many places in the following semester and only in the subjects you failed. Repeating voluntarily just to improve your grade is normally not possible; in Bavaria it is explicitly ruled out.

Can you take the FSP without attending a Studienkolleg?

Yes, as an external Feststellungsprüfung. In North Rhine-Westphalia it is the only option, since the Studienkollegs at universities there were closed after the winter semester of 2010/2011. Requirements are stricter and pass rates markedly lower.

See also: how to get into a Studienkolleg, the free C-Test online (and where else the C-Test is used) and the maths test.