Berlin Court Upholds Controversial Gymnasium Admissions Test

The administrative court ruled the Probeunterricht system legally valid despite its low pass rate and ongoing parental opposition.

The Berliner Verwaltungsgericht has confirmed the legality of the Probeunterricht system, rejecting lawsuits filed by parents of students who failed the test.
Implemented in August 2024, the system replaces the year-long trial period with a one-day test to address high failure rates and limited school capacity.
Only 2.6% of students passed the test during its first implementation, raising concerns about fairness and educational equity.
Affected families can appeal the decision to the higher Berlin-Brandenburg administrative court, though alternative pathways to Gymnasium remain available for students who fail.
The court emphasized the test's alignment with educational standards and its aim to ensure proper student placement without overburdening resources.