Rechtsanwaltsprüfung (RAP) exam-day guide
Rechtsanwaltsprüfung (RAP) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID
Bring the identity document specified in your admission notice (typically a valid passport or national ID card). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy suffices.
Admission letter / invitation to the exam
Print or download the admission notice and any candidate number you were assigned. Check the exact address, room, and reporting time; confirm with the provider whether electronic copies are accepted.
Permitted legal texts and statutes
Clarify in advance which statute collections, commentaries, or loose-leaf materials are allowed. Many providers restrict annotations or prohibit certain editions; confirm with the provider and mark your permitted books clearly with your name.
Writing instruments and spare pens
Bring several pens that you have already tested, plus a spare in a different colour if corrections must be distinguishable. Confirm with the provider whether pencil or erasable ink is prohibited.
Timepiece
A simple analogue watch is usually safest; smart watches and phones are commonly banned from the desk. Confirm with the provider what timekeeping devices are permitted.
Food, water, and medication
Bring water and a light snack for longer written papers, and any prescription medication you may need. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and food are allowed at the desk and whether medical documentation is required.
Exam regulations and schedule
Read the provider's examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) and the day's schedule so you know the start times, paper structure, and submission rules before you arrive.
Review of procedural and drafting structures
Prepare condensed outlines of typical structures (e.g., legal opinion style, appeal grounds, drafting skeletons) that you can reproduce from memory; do not rely on bringing notes unless expressly permitted.
Travel and accommodation plan
Confirm the route, travel time, and a buffer for delays. If the exam is in another city, book accommodation early and check the venue location the evening before.
Clarify permitted aids with the provider
Ask specifically about highlighters, sticky tabs, calculators, and electronic aids. Do not assume; confirm with the provider in writing and keep the reply with your documents.
Clarify late-arrival and absence rules
Ask what happens if you arrive late or fall ill on the day, and what evidence is required. Policies vary by chamber; confirm with the provider.
Clarify break and scoring details
Ask how breaks are handled in long written papers and how the written and oral parts are weighted. These rules differ between providers; confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop expanding your materials. Review only your own condensed outlines of exam structures and core rules. Confirm the venue, reporting time, and permitted aids in writing with the provider, and prepare your documents and permitted books in one bag.
Do one timed practice paper under realistic conditions using only permitted aids, then review your errors briefly. Check that your statute collection is current and complete for the subjects being tested.
Pack your ID, admission notice, pens, watch, water, and permitted books. Check travel arrangements and set two alarms. Avoid new material; a short review of structures and a normal night's sleep is more valuable than last-minute cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue well before the reporting time, and locate the room and facilities. Keep your phone switched off and stored as required. Re-read the instructions on the paper carefully before writing.
Read all questions first and allocate time per question. Start with the structure (parties, issues, applicable norms), then fill in reasoning. Watch the clock, leave time for a final check of names, dates, and citations, and submit exactly as instructed.
Listen to the full question, structure your answer aloud (issue, rule, application, conclusion), and state your reasoning even when unsure. Keep answers concise and cite the relevant norm where you can; do not bluff.
Rules to check
Bring and present the identity document required by the provider; if your ID is missing or does not match your registration, you may be excluded. Confirm the exact requirements with the provider.
Follow the permitted-aids list strictly. Unauthorized notes, electronic devices, or annotated materials can lead to disqualification; ask the invigilator before the paper starts if anything is unclear.
Switch off and stow your phone and any smart device as instructed. Do not keep them at the desk unless the provider expressly permits it.
Arrive at the reporting time. Late arrival may bar you from the paper or shorten your writing time; the exact rule varies, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Breaks during long written papers are usually limited and supervised. Follow the invigilator's instructions and confirm the provider's break policy beforehand.
Write legibly and identify your paper only by the candidate number if one is used. Illegible or improperly identified work may not be marked.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Any suspected collusion or use of unauthorized aids will be handled under the provider's examination regulations.
Scoring and weighting of the written and oral parts are set by the provider's regulations. Read them before the exam and confirm any unclear points with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.