The Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP): Studienkolleg Entrance Exam

What is an Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP)?

Aufnahmeprüfung is the German term for Entrance Exam. Most Studienkollegs require applicants to pass this test. The ANP serves two primary purposes:

1. Ensuring Readiness: To ensure that applicants have the necessary academic foundation and language skills to understand the curriculum taught at the Studienkolleg.
2. Limiting Enrollment: Due to highly limited space, the ANP acts as a critical filter.

The Competitive Nature

In the Aufnahmeprüfung, your goal is not just to pass the test, but to score higher than your peers. Because of the limited slots, only a restricted number of the highest-scoring applicants will actually be admitted. Those who score highest receive priority.

Waiting Lists and Diversity Quotas

• Warteliste (Waiting List): Some Studienkollegs maintain a "Warteliste." If an accepted applicant gives up their spot, the next person in line is notified and offered the vacancy.
• No Waiting List: Some Studienkollegs do not have a formal waiting list system; you may have to inquire directly whether a space has opened up.
• Diversity Quotas: Some institutions cap the number of students from specific countries to promote diversity. If this system is in place, you will only compete with fellow applicants from your home country.

Difficulty Level

The difficulty of the Aufnahmeprüfung is highly dependent on the individual Studienkolleg.

• Most Studienkollegs have relatively manageable math sections, but some are considerably harder. The same variation applies to the language and other subject tests.
• The Studienkollegs generally known for their demanding Aufnahmeprüfung include Karlsruhe and München (Munich).

If you are looking for specific insights into exam content, studying resources, or difficulty, community forums (such as Discord groups) often have accumulated knowledge.

Fees

In most cases, you do not have to pay a fee to take the Aufnahmeprüfung. If a fee is required, it will be clearly stated in your Zulassung (invitation letter) to the ANP.

• An example of a Studienkolleg that requires a fee is Wismar.

Online/Semi-Online Aufnahmeprüfung

Due to the infrastructure established during the COVID-19 pandemic, some Studienkollegs continue to hold their Aufnahmeprüfung either fully online or semi-online.

• Fully Online Examples: Konstanz, Nordhausen, and Marburg. (Be aware that these online formats may change in the future.)
• Semi-Online/Supervised Testing: Some Studienkollegs organize their ANP in other countries, where you take an online test under the supervision of local proctors at an authorized location. Kaiserslautern is known to offer this system in several countries, including Indonesia, India, and Brazil.

Resources for Studying

If you are seeking preparation materials for your upcoming Aufnahmeprüfung, community platforms and resources channels (like those found on Discord) are excellent places to find past exam questions and study guides.