New Gymnasium Admission Tests in Germany Face Criticism Over Low Success Rates

Changes to admission procedures in Berlin and Baden-Württemberg spark debates over fairness, pressure on students, and educational standards.

In Berlin, only 2.6% of students who failed to meet the required grade average passed the new one-day admission test for gymnasium placement, with 51 out of 1,937 candidates succeeding.
The Berlin Administrative Court upheld the legality of the new test, dismissing claims that it unfairly restricts access to gymnasiums or violates constitutional rights.
In Baden-Württemberg, a similar potential test for gymnasium entry saw only 31% of participants meet the required standards, with logical reasoning playing a key role for many successful candidates.
Parents and advocacy groups criticize both systems for creating significant stress for children and question whether the tests fairly reflect the skills needed for gymnasium success.
Education officials defend the reforms, stating they ensure academic readiness and align with school performance, though calls for test evaluations and transparency persist.