Naturalisation test
Since 1 September 2008, applicants for German nationality have had to demonstrate that they know about Germany’s legal and social system and about what life is like in Germany. To this end, a standard nationwide naturalisation test was introduced at this time. Based on administration agreements, the Federal Länder, which are responsible for naturalisation, have commissioned the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) with the task of implementing the tests.
560 test centres in Germany
The naturalisation test can be taken at over 560 test centres in Germany approved by the Federal Office. These are mainly adult education centres. Attendees must pay a flat fee of 25 euros for the test. The Federal Office sends the results of the test to applicants for naturalisation after the test has been taken.
Knowledge test with 33 questions
The naturalisation test is a pure test of knowledge. Linguistically, the test questions are set at level B1 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages, so that candidates will not fail due to a lack of German-language skills. Each naturalisation test contains 33 questions, each with 4 possible answers of which one is correct. All the questions are based on the content of the curriculum for naturalisation courses developed by the BAMF. To pass the naturalisation test, candidates must answer a minimum of 17 of the 33 questions correctly.
Questionnaire
The Institute for Quality Development in Education at the Humboldt University in Berlin has developed a questionnaire for the test containing 300 multiple-choice questions that can be used throughout the Federal Republic, and questionnaires specific to each Land each with ten questions. There are 100 different test questionnaires available in each Federal Land, which ensures that no two candidates in any test group are given the same questionnaire.
The General Catalogue of test questions and a sample test questionnaire are available on the BAMF's website in interactive versions to allow candidates to prepare for the test.
