Practise the “Leben in Deutschland” test
Pick your federal state and answer 33 questions: the mock exam shows whether your score is enough for the orientation course (15) or for citizenship too (17).
Question 1 of 33 · Nr. 105
Was ist eine Aufgabe von Wahlhelferinnen/Wahlhelfern in Deutschland?
What is one task of election helpers in Germany?
Your score
0 / 33
0 answered
“Leben in Deutschland” test: passed from 15 correct answers; from 17 it also counts for citizenship.
Prepared by Radif Partners · Method · BAMF question catalogue of 7 May 2025 · laws checked on 22 October 2026
The “Leben in Deutschland” (Life in Germany) test is the final test of the orientation course within the integration course, under section 17 of the Integration Course Ordinance (IntV). It has 33 questions with four answers each, you get 60 minutes, and the questions come from the same BAMF catalogue as the citizenship test: 300 general questions plus 10 for each federal state. With at least 15 correct answers you pass the orientation course. With at least 17, section 17(5) IntV lets the result also prove the knowledge of the legal and social order required for naturalisation, so you do not need a separate citizenship test. If you also pass the DTZ language exam at B1, you receive the integration course certificate, issued on paper only. Under section 17(3) IntV, BAMF pays for taking the final tests once; the €25 flat fee of the citizenship test does not apply. The test is held on its own date after the course. The mock exam above tracks both thresholds.
Two thresholds in one test
Unlike the citizenship test, your score counts twice here. Section 17 of the Integration Course Ordinance requires a minimum score to pass the orientation course, which BAMF sets at 15 of 33 questions. Subsection 5 of the same provision lets the test also prove the knowledge the Nationality Act requires for naturalisation, and for that the threshold of the Citizenship Test Ordinance applies: 17 correct answers.
| Correct answers | What the score means | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 | Orientation course not passed | IntV § 17 Abs. 2 |
| 15 to 16 | Orientation course passed, no proof for citizenship yet | IntV § 17 Abs. 2 |
| 17 to 33 | Passed, and proof for citizenship as well | IntV § 17 Abs. 5 |
If you land between 15 and 16 points, you have passed the course but still have to sit the citizenship test before you naturalise. Two more points save a second exam day and the fee, so aim for 17 rather than 15 when you study.
What happens on the day
According to the BAMF information sheet, you identify yourself with valid official photo ID and leave it visible on the desk. Your phone, smartwatch and tablet go to the invigilator, your coat and bag stay out of reach, and personal notes are not allowed. Only blue or black ballpoint pens may be used. Check your details on the cover page first. Before handing in, sign and date the last page; once you leave the room after finishing, you cannot come back in.
Every question has exactly one correct answer. Anyone who cheats, carries unauthorised aids or disrupts the exam is excluded, and the paper is not marked. The paper is in German, so practise with the German wording.
Studying with a plan
The mock exam above draws 30 general questions and 3 about your state, as the ordinance does. All general questions with answers are under citizenship test questions, and the state questions are on the state pages, such as citizenship test NRW. BAMF notes that passing the orientation course also proves the basic knowledge required for a settlement permit. For the integration course certificate you then only need the B1 language exam: see B1 German certificate.
To see whether only the residence period is left after the course, check the requirements:
Earliest application
Earliest application
January 2027
| Deadline (s. 10 StAG: 5 years’ residence) | January 2027 |
| Length of residence | from January 2027 |
| Residence title | met |
| Livelihood | met |