Berlin Families Challenge New Gymnasium Test After 97% Failure Rate

Sixteen families have filed lawsuits seeking procedural reviews of the 'Probeunterricht,' a controversial one-day test that replaced the year-long 'Probejahr' system.

• The 'Probeunterricht,' introduced in March 2025, resulted in only 2.6% of students passing, with 51 out of 1,937 participants qualifying for Gymnasium admission.
• Sixteen families have filed lawsuits, alleging procedural errors and seeking Gymnasium admission for their children despite the test results.
• The Berlin Administrative Court upheld the legality of the test, rejecting prior emergency appeals and stating there were no constitutional concerns.
• Critics, including parents, advocacy groups, and political parties, argue the test exacerbates educational inequality and places excessive pressure on students.
• The Berlin Education Administration has not commented on the lawsuits, while calls for transparency and potential reforms to the 'Probeunterricht' process continue to grow.

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