What does the naturalization test mean?
A naturalization test generally has different meanings and reasons. Such a test can be useful for various purposes as proof and in certain cases and applications such a type of integration test is mandatory.
This makes it all the more important to be very well informed about the meaning and purpose of the test. It also makes sense to practice such a naturalization test online at an early stage and to be well prepared. This can help you to memorize the questions and answers.
Purpose and significance of the test
The purpose of the naturalization test is to be well informed about the history of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany as a state. This requirement is important for German citizens to become familiar with Germany and understand why the state in which we live has developed as it has over the years. It is also a sign of integration in Germany and respect for Germany and shows a willingness to deal with the most important facts about the country.
Why is the naturalization test important?
According to § 10 Para. 1 No. 7 StAG, one of the requirements for Naturalization is to acquire and possess knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany. According to § 10 StAG, proof of knowledge is provided by a.
In addition to proof of living expenses, clarification of identity, declaration of loyalty, proof of language proficiency B1 and proof of 8 years of legal residence, the naturalization test is an important hurdle on the way to obtaining German citizenship. Without this test, the path to a German passport will not work. It is an important help to study for the naturalization test online at an early stage so that you are perfectly prepared.
Advantages of the naturalization test
You will need to take the naturalization test at the latest when you apply for Naturalization . It is therefore always an advantage to take the test as early as possible. You will then have an important prerequisite for Naturalization . The naturalization test is also a very good proof of integration for the authorities.
It generally serves as proof of your willingness to integrate in Germany. It is therefore completely independent of whether you are planning to bring your family to Germany, whether you are applying for the right of residence from Tolerance permit or whether you want to apply for Settlement permit . The naturalization test is always helpful and important because it clearly proves that you are interested in the German state and life in Germany.
Not yet ready for the naturalization test?
Practice for the online naturalization test with Migrando
The best way to be well prepared for the test in the long term is to repeat and simulate the naturalization test online again and again with different questions. As the test consists of a large number of questions, simulating the questions is always a smart idea. You can compare it to preparing for the theory test for your driving license. The more you practice the naturalization test online, the more likely you are to pass it successfully in the end.
How the Migrando naturalization test works
You can take the Migrando naturalization test with us and practice the naturalization test online. This gives you the perfect preparation for the later naturalization test and allows you to prepare in the best possible way according to your wishes. The Migrando naturalization test is a simulation of all the questions that may appear in the naturalization test at your examination centre.
Advantages of the Migrando naturalization test
The best way to practise for the first time is to do all the questions with answers and all the questions in sequence. If you are then in the hard preparation phase and have already learned a lot, then the naturalization test with random questions is ideal. There is no sequence here, only the knowledge gained from practicing the questions.
With the Migrando naturalization test, you will be well prepared for the naturalization test at the examination office and will go into the exam with a good feeling. You will be in the best possible position to answer the required 17 out of 33 questions correctly. If you answer more questions correctly, all the better!
Who has to take the naturalization test?
There are clear guidelines as to who is obliged to take the naturalization test from a certain point in time. The exceptions, where you do not have to take the test, do not apply to all foreigners. Accordingly, it is important for every refugee to know at what point and on what occasion they need to take the test.
Necessity for the Naturalization
Anyone who wants to apply for a German passport and become a German citizen must take the naturalization test. The reason for this is to provide proof of knowledge of the German legal system, the German state and living conditions. This knowledge is demonstrated by successfully passing a naturalization test. If you wish, you can attend naturalization courses beforehand, but this is not required by law. The only requirement is a successful naturalization test.
Important for the Settlement permit
Section 9 of the Residence Act describes the general requirements for the Settlement permit described. This also includes cultural integration with an integration test called Test Leben in Deutschland. The Test Leben in Deutschland is also an examination test that is structured similarly to the naturalization test.
It can therefore be seen that knowledge of the legal system and the German state is already important for Settlement permit . Accordingly, it also makes sense to practise the questions on the naturalization test online before taking Settlement permit . These questions are almost identical to the questions on the test: Living in Germany, so you are well prepared for the exam.
Who is exempt from the naturalization test?
There are certain exceptions that exempt you from the naturalization test and you do not have to take this test. These exceptions only apply to some foreigners who are interested in Settlement permit or Naturalization . The requirements are very specific and only apply to individual cases.
School-leaving certificate in Germany and minors
Anyone who has completed school in Germany is automatically exempt from the naturalization test. At school, pupils are taught about the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.
Another important exception applies if the applicant for the Naturalization or Settlement permit application is under 18 years of age, i.e. a minor. Minors also do not have to provide proof of a naturalization test.
Illness, disability or age-related
Anyone who is incapacitated due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or suffers from a disability does not have to take a naturalization test. The same exception also applies to people who are unable to pass the naturalization test for age-related reasons. They are also exempt from the obligation to take the integration test.
Studies or training in specific areas
Studying or training in certain fields exempts you from the obligation to take a naturalization test. The training or studies must have been completed in the fields of law, social sciences, social sciences, politics or administrative sciences. A German university is required as the place of graduation.
Registration and examination location
As with many things related to the authorities, the application process for a naturalization test follows a certain procedure that you should follow and be aware of. There are various points to be aware of here.
How does the registration work?
When registering, it is first important to take the naturalization test online via the website of your nearest adult education centre or other test centre. Your local Foreigners' office will tell you where the nearest test center is located.
It is also important that you have completed the participant registration form. The participant registration form can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
You are registered when the participant registration form has been handed in at the test center and the fee of 25 euros has been paid for the test. You can find a list of all test centers on our information page about the test locations. Here you will find a list of all examination locations in all federal states with Google Maps navigation.
How does the appointment process work?
Appointments can be made via the registration page of the respective test center. Beforehand, you can find the nearest test center via our Migrando page on test centers. Then fill out the participant registration form and choose an appointment. You must bring a valid ID document with a photo to the appointment.
Where can I take the naturalization test?
The naturalization test can be taken at various locations in the respective federal state. The BAMF has a list of all test centers in the respective federal state. You can find this list on our Migrando page on the test centers. Taking a naturalization test online does NOT work! The test can only be taken in writing at an examination center.
Find your responsible test center with Migrando
Examination regulations for the naturalization test
Like every test, the naturalization test also has examination regulations according to which it must be carried out and assessed. These guidelines are laid down by the BAMF. The assessment criteria, the questions and the duration of the test are precisely defined here.
Costs, procedure and implementation of the test
The cost of the naturalization test is 25 euros. The procedure works in such a way that it is extremely important to be on time for the appointment. Arrive 5 minutes early rather than 5 minutes late.
In addition to the appointment confirmation, you must bring a valid ID document with a photo. If you do not have these documents with you, you will not be able to start the test. You will then be allocated your place. Each naturalization test consists of 33 questions.
The questions are made up of 300 nationwide questions and 10 questions on the respective federal states. Each candidate must have answered at least 17 questions correctly.
If you answer fewer than 17 questions correctly, you are deemed to have failed the naturalization test. The questions come from the subject areas of living in a democracy, people and society and history and responsibility. Each participant has 60 minutes to complete the test.
Language requirements for the test
The minimum language requirement for the Naturalization is a B1 certificate. Accordingly, you need at least a B1 level of German for the naturalization test. This is necessary to be able to understand, comprehend and answer the questions. All certificates above B1 are of course even better and an even greater help.
The examination center has precise regulations in the BAMF guidelines regarding the distribution of seats during the examination. The seats must be 1.25 meters apart. This ensures that there is no cheating. During the test, there are invigilators who check that the process runs smoothly and without any cases of cheating.
Evaluation system of the test
The regional offices of the BAMF are responsible for evaluating and calculating the test. 17 questions must be answered correctly. This means that a maximum of 16 questions may be answered incorrectly. A distinction is also made between two assessments. There is the rating "participated" and the rating "successfully participated". The participant receives the result of the test with a stamp from the regional office.
You will receive the result of the test 4-6 weeks after the test date. However, there are currently extremely large capacity problems at the BAMF. For these reasons, the evaluation takes up to 5 months. Tests are currently being evaluated until January 10, 2023. It is important that you copy the test and keep the documents. Once you have passed the naturalization test, it is always valid. It is important that you can prove that you have passed the test.
Repetition of the naturalization test
If the test is not passed, there is the option of repeating the test. When registering to retake the test, you must complete the participant form again and pay the participation fee of 25 euros again.
There are no specifications as to when the retake date must take place. The test can be taken again as quickly and as soon as the applicant wishes. In general, the more often you practise the naturalization test online, the less likely it is that you will have to retake the test.
Naturalization test vs Life in Germany test
The tests, naturalization test and life in Germany are completely the same in terms of the questions. Nevertheless, both tests have a decisive difference. The naturalization test does not give you the integration course certificate. You only receive this certificate if you pass the Living in Germany test. The certificate is very important when applying for Naturalization.
Questions and answers of the naturalization test
It is always good to get a feel for what questions and requirements you will face in a test as important as the naturalization test. Generally speaking, the questions come from three subject areas: life in democracy, people and society, and history and responsibility.
Sample questions and answers for the naturalization test
A good example question is the following: At which demonstrations in Germany did people chant "We are the people" ?
A: At the 1968 demonstrations in the Federal Republic of Germany. B: At the workers' uprising in the GDR in 1953. C: At the 1985 anti-nuclear demonstration in the Federal Republic of Germany. D: At the Monday demonstrations in 1989 in the GDR.
The correct answer in this case would be D, the Monday demonstrations. You have 4 choices in multiple choice form for each question.
Another example of a question is this: A woman in Germany loses her job. What should not be the reason for her dismissal?
A: The woman was often late for work. B: The woman is having a baby and her boss knows about it. C: The woman does private things during her working hours. D: The woman is ill for a long time and unable to work. The correct answer to this question would be B.
Typical mistakes and errors
It is very important to read through the questions calmly and clearly several times. Anyone who reads incorrectly or proceeds too quickly can easily make mistakes. Even for German citizens and people who have lived in Germany for 30 years or more, some of the questions are complicated.
A complicated question could be, for example: Which German politician stood for the Ostverträge? A: Ludwig Erhard. B: Helmut Kohl. C: Willy Brandt. D: Mikhail Gorbachev. The correct answer here is C, Willy Brandt.
It is important to read several times, especially with such questions. This prevents careless mistakes. Here, too, it is advantageous to go through the naturalization test online often. You can memorize questions that seem complicated at first glance by repeating them many times.
Conclusion and summary
In conclusion, it can be said that the naturalization test and the Life in Germany test can be a great help. They are evidence of the will to integrate. The more you show this willingness, the better it is received by the authorities. The willingness to integrate in Germany makes many things easier.
Here is a summary of the most important points for the naturalization test:
- A successful naturalization test is a prerequisite for applying to Naturalization .
- For the Settlement permit you need to take the Living in Germany test as a prerequisite.
- In general, a naturalization test helps as proof of integration and makes a very good impression.
- It's worth studying for the naturalization test online to be well prepared for the exam.
- You have to answer 17 out of 33 questions correctly in the naturalization test.
- The naturalization test can be repeated and costs 25 euros each time.
- There are 4 exceptions that exempt you from the naturalization test: school-leaving certificate, disability/age reasons, completion of studies or training in law/administration and if you are a minor.
- The test centers can be found on a list of the Federal Ministry for Migration and Refugees.
- The Federal Ministry for Migration and Refugees sets the guidelines for the test and controls it.
Do you still have questions about the naturalization test?
FAQ - The most important questions and answers about the naturalization test
The naturalization test takes place at the test centres specified by the Federal Ministry for Refugees and Migration (BAMF). The test centers can be found on the information page of the BAMF and you can ask the responsible Foreigners' office . They will tell you the nearest possible test center.
The naturalization test is required when applying for Naturalization . The identical Life in Germany test is required when applying for Settlement permit . In general, the naturalization test serves as proof of integration.
You can repeat the naturalization test as often as you need to. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the test. Please note: A fee of 25 euros is payable for each new attempt.
If you have graduated from school in Germany, completed an apprenticeship or degree in law or administrative sciences and are a minor, you do not have to take a naturalization test. The naturalization test is also waived in the case of disability, mental or psychological impairment or for reasons of age.
The result of a naturalization test is normally received after 4-6 weeks. However, the BAMF is currently experiencing extreme capacity problems and it can take up to 5 months to process the naturalization test.
To pass the naturalization test, you have to answer 17 out of 33 questions correctly.
There are 33 questions in each naturalization test. These questions are made up of 300 nationwide questions and 10 additional questions in each federal state. Topics include life in a democracy, people and society and history and responsibility.
