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Read what the test is about first, then practise with the questions.
The guides explain what the exam tests, using the official question catalogue (Stand 07.05.2025). They are not legal advice.
Topics
Basic rightsGrundrechte
You will understand what the Basic Law is, what human dignity, freedom of opinion and equal treatment mean, and which other important freedoms exist.
Democracy and the rule of lawDemokratie und Rechtsstaat
After reading, you understand what kind of state Germany is, who holds state power, what parties do and when a party can be banned.
Constitutional bodiesVerfassungsorgane
You will understand the three powers of the state and the roles of the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, the Federal Government, the Chancellor and the Federal President.
ElectionsWahlen
You will understand who elects whom in Germany, who may vote, which principles elections follow, how the two votes and the 5% threshold work, and who runs an election.
Federation, states and municipalitiesBund, Länder und Gemeinden
You will understand how Germany is divided into the Federation, the states and the municipalities, what each level does and how to deal with public authorities.
Law and courtsRecht und Justiz
After reading, you understand who does what in the German legal system: courts, judges, lay judges, lawyers and the police, and the basic rules on punishment.
Family and educationFamilie und Bildung
After reading, you understand who is responsible for raising children, what the Jugendamt does, the rules on marriage and schools, and how adults can continue learning.
Work, social security and taxesArbeit, Soziales und Steuern
After this guide, you will understand the social market economy, social insurance and who pays for it, employee rights in case of dismissal, and what to do with problems about taxes and faulty goods.
Living together in GermanyZusammenleben in Deutschland
You will understand how state and religion are separate, Jewish life, getting involved in society, everyday rules and the history of migration in Germany.
History up to 1945Geschichte bis 1945
After reading, you will understand the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, the Second World War, the persecution of Jews and how Germany remembers the victims.
Division, GDR and reunificationTeilung, DDR und Wiedervereinigung
After reading, you will understand how Germany was divided into two states, what life in the GDR was like and how Germany was reunited in 1990.
Europe and the worldEuropa und die Welt
You will understand what the EU is, how the European Parliament works, how Schengen and the euro differ, which countries border Germany and how the Cold War divided Europe.
Symbols, holidays and cultureSymbole, Feiertage und Kultur
After reading, you know the full name of Germany, the state symbols such as the flag, coat of arms and anthem, and the main holidays and customs.
Your state
Each state has 10 questions of its own.
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bayern
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Hessen
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Niedersachsen
- Nordrhein-Westfalen
- Rheinland-Pfalz
- Saarland
- Sachsen
- Sachsen-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thüringen
Finished reading? Test yourself with a full mock exam. Take the mock exam