BHS-Matura
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Standardisierte, kompetenzorientierte Reife- und Diplomprüfung an BHS - shortened to SRDP and known in everyday usage as the Zentralmatura - is the final examination taken at berufsbildenden höheren Schulen in Austria. It belongs to the same standardised family that the Bundesministerium für Bildung introduced for both allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen (AHS) and BHS; the ministry states that the Zentralmatura was first held in the school year 2015/2016. The stated aims are more fairness, the same conditions for all Maturantinnen und Maturanten, and easier comparability of the qualification for institutions that admit graduates. Because BHS programmes pair general education with a vocational specialisation, the examination closes both a general and a vocational pathway, which is why the qualification is named Reife- und Diplomprüfung rather than Reifeprüfung alone. The ministry keeps a dedicated BHS sub-page inside its Zentralmatura section, separately from the AHS pages. Subject lists, paper lengths, weighting and compensatory arrangements therefore sit there and in the annual Rundschreiben that govern preparation, implementation, correction, assessment and collection of results; the retrieved text references the circular for the school year 2023/24. Preparation has two strands: the content of your own school type's Lehrplan, and the ministry's official material - current Prüfungstermine, published results from the Haupttermine, and the Leitfäden and Modellschularbeiten linked from the Zentralmatura section. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the ministry or any examination board.
What you'll study
About BHS-Matura preparation
What exactly does "SRDP an BHS" mean?
It is the Standardisierte, kompetenzorientierte Reife- und Diplomprüfung taken at berufsbildenden höheren Schulen. The ministry groups it with the AHS variant under the umbrella term Zentralmatura, or standardised Reife- und Diplomprüfung (SRDP), which according to its page was first held in the school year 2015/2016.
Is the BHS Matura the same examination as the AHS Matura?
They share the umbrella and the 2015/2016 launch, but the ministry keeps separate pages. The AHS page lists three pillars: an abschließende Arbeit with presentation and discussion, Klausurprüfungen including Kompensationsprüfungen, and oral examinations. The retrieved source does not reproduce the BHS enumeration, so use the BHS sub-page for its structure.
Why does the ministry call the exam fairer?
The stated objectives are more fairness, the same conditions for all Maturantinnen und Maturanten, and easier comparability of the qualifications for weiterführende Bildungseinrichtungen. These are aims of standardisation, not a statement that every subject paper is identical across school types or specialisations.
How many subjects are there, how long is each paper, and what is the pass mark?
The retrieved source states none of these for the BHS variant: no subject count, no duration, no passing score and no fee. Those details sit on the BHS sub-page and in the annual Rundschreiben covering preparation, implementation, correction, assessment and result collection, the retrieved text citing the circular for 2023/24.
When are the examinations held and results published?
The ministry publishes current Prüfungstermine within its Zentralmatura section and publishes results of the standardised Reife- und Diplomprüfung from the Haupttermine. Dates move every year, so read the current listing rather than any date quoted second-hand in forums or older summaries.
Can I retake or compensate a failed subject?
The retrieved source text does not describe BHS retake rules. It does list Kompensationsprüfungen as part of the AHS Klausurprüfungen pillar, which shows compensatory examinations exist within the system, but the conditions, timing and any limit on attempts for BHS candidates are not stated here. Confirm with your school.
I finished an apprenticeship - is there another route to the Reifeprüfung?
Yes. The Berufsreifeprüfung (BRP) targets people who already hold an initial vocational qualification such as an apprenticeship, a berufsbildende mittlere Schule or a school for health and nursing. The ministry states it opens unrestricted access to universities, Hochschulen, Fachhochschulen, Akademien and Kollegs. A funding programme, "Berufsmatura: Lehre mit Reifeprüfung", also exists.
In what order should I prepare?
Start with the content of your own Lehrplan, then work through the ministry's official documents: the current Rundschreiben on preparation and assessment, the Prüfungstermine, and the Leitfäden and Modellschularbeiten linked in the Zentralmatura section. Leave time late in your schedule to rehearse speaking about your own work, since presentation and discussion appear as an assessed component in the pillar structure the ministry publishes.
How hard is the BHS Matura?
The source gives no difficulty rating, pass rate or score statistics; it only points to published results from the Haupttermine. Difficulty varies by subject, school type and specialisation. Judge your readiness against the Leitfäden and official sample material rather than anecdote, and treat any second-hand percentage as unverified.