Schulfremdenprüfung

If you have left school without a qualification, would like to obtain a higher education qualification or are currently attending a supplementary school, you can obtain educational qualifications by taking the Schulfremdenprüfung, although - with the exception of supplementary schools - you will generally have to prepare for the examination yourself.

Applicants for a non-school examination usually submit an application for admission to the examination to the district government responsible for their place of residence. Applicants who are pupils at a supplementary school up to the examination date can also submit the application to the district government in whose district the school is located or authorize the school to submit the application on their behalf. The listed requirements must be met for admission. If the requirements are met, some of which are verified by submitted forms, a letter of admission will be issued.

For the Fachhochschulreife (FHR) external examination and vocational qualification in accordance with state law, a fee notice will also be issued.

It should be noted that external school examinations generally take place at schools that are assigned by the responsible district government.

In NRW, the following examinations are considered external school examinations:

External examinations
- External examination for the first school-leaving certificate (formerly Hauptschulabschluss - HS9)
- External examination for the extended first school-leaving certificate (formerly Hauptschulabschluss after grade 10 - HS10)
- External examination for the intermediate school-leaving certificate (Fachoberschulreife) (MSA or FOR)
- External examination for the Fachhochschulreife (FHR)
- External examination for the Allgemeine Hochschulreife (AHR)
- External examination for vocational qualifications in accordance with state law

• Written application or application via the NRW service portal
• Curriculum vitae (not for Sek. I)
• Notarized copies of certificates
• Statements
• Information on exam preparation

• Only those who do not yet have the desired qualification can be admitted to the examination.
• Further requirements depend on the degree being sought.

• Preparatory work (e.g. provision of information, advice)
• Application (incl. submission of documents and provision of necessary information)
• Application processing (determination of the examination location and consultation)
• Decision, preparation and delivery of a letter of admission
• Conducting the examination
• Entry and transmission of the examination results
• Preparation and delivery of a results notification (incl. certificate or attestation)

• External school examination
• Acquiring educational qualifications through examinations at other schools
• As a rule, independent preparation for the examination is required (exception: supplementary schools)

No legal requirement. However, the district governments responsible for the external school examination provide registration forms.