Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Abitur German exam-day guide
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Abitur German · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Personal invitation and photo ID
Bring the official invitation (Einladung) to the written Abitur examination issued by your school and a valid photo ID (Personalausweis or passport). Confirm with your school which ID is accepted and whether a copy is sufficient.
Admission slip or candidate number
Some schools issue an admission slip (Zulassungsschein) or candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether you must bring it or whether it is distributed in the exam room.
Approved writing instruments
Bring several blue or black ballpoint pens and, if permitted, pencils and erasers. Confirm with the provider which writing tools are allowed for the German examination; do not assume correction fluid or erasable pens are permitted.
Printed dictionary or glossary if permitted
For German as a subject, a monolingual German dictionary may be permitted in some parts of the examination, but rules vary by school and task. Confirm with the provider before bringing one; do not bring an electronic dictionary unless explicitly allowed.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Bring a simple analogue or digital wristwatch without communication functions. Many exam rooms have a clock, but a personal watch helps you pace the 300-minute writing time. Smartwatches are generally not permitted; confirm with the provider.
Food and drink in a clear container
Bring water in a transparent bottle and a small snack for the long examination. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and food are allowed at the desk and whether the bottle must be unlabelled.
Required texts and materials announced by the school
Some tasks require an annotated edition of a literary text or a specific materials package. Check the school's pre-exam information and confirm with the provider exactly which books or texts may be brought into the room.
No electronic devices at the desk
Leave smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and headphones switched off and stored outside the examination room or in the designated place. Confirm with the provider where devices must be deposited.
Review the task selection rules before the day
In the German Abitur you typically choose among several tasks (for example, literary interpretation, analysis of non-fiction, material-based writing). Know in advance how many tasks you must complete and how much time to allocate. Confirm the exact task format with the provider.
Plan your arrival and transport
Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before the start. Check local transport and allow extra time. Confirm with the provider the exact start time and whether late arrival is permitted.
Know the permitted aids for your subject combination
If you take German alongside other subjects, rules on dictionaries, formula sheets, and calculators differ by subject. Confirm with the provider which aids are allowed in each examination.
Emergency contact and school office number
Save the school office number in case of transport problems or illness. Confirm with the provider whom to contact if you cannot attend.
Plan the day
Check the official invitation for date, start time, room, and permitted aids. Re-read the task types for the German examination (for example, interpretation of a literary text, analysis of a non-literary text, material-based argumentative writing) and practise selecting and planning one task under time pressure. Prepare your writing instruments, dictionary if permitted, watch, and ID. Confirm with the provider any open questions about permitted materials. Sleep regular hours and avoid learning entirely new content.
Pack your bag with ID, invitation, pens, watch, water, snack, and any permitted texts. Re-read your own summary of the task types and the timing plan, but do not cram new material. Check transport and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable time. Confirm with the provider the exact room and whether you may enter the building early.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the school at least 15–20 minutes before the start. Switch off your phone and deposit it as instructed. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and check that you have received the correct task paper and any materials. Fill in your candidate details correctly. Confirm with the provider if anything about the procedure is unclear before the writing time begins.
Use the reading time to survey all tasks and choose the one you can answer best. Allocate roughly 20–30 minutes for planning, 240–250 minutes for writing, and 20–30 minutes for checking, depending on the total writing time of 300 minutes. Watch the clock and keep to your plan. Write legibly, structure your answer with clear paragraphs, and cite texts correctly. If you need a break, follow the invigilator's rules. Leave time to proofread for grammar, spelling, and completeness.
Rules to check
Bring your official invitation and a valid photo ID. Confirm with the provider which documents are mandatory and whether a copy is accepted.
Electronic devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets must be switched off and stored outside the examination room or in the designated place. Confirm with the provider where devices must be deposited.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, task distribution, and permitted aids. Do not bring unauthorised notes or materials into the room. If you are unsure whether an aid is permitted, ask before the writing time begins.
Breaks during the written examination are usually regulated by the school (for example, supervised breaks or leaving the room with permission). Confirm with the provider the exact break rules and whether you may leave the room during the examination.
The examination is marked according to the state's binding assessment criteria for the German Abitur, covering content, structure, language, and argumentation. Confirm with the provider how the individual tasks and the overall result are weighted.
Write in German and address the task precisely. Observe the required text type and the expected scope. Confirm with the provider whether a word limit or page limit applies.
If you become ill before or during the examination, inform the school immediately and follow the official procedure for withdrawal or a replacement examination. Confirm with the provider the deadlines and documentation required.