How Germany avoided an exams crisis

The timing for Germany’s school-leaving exams couldn’t have been worse this year. Typically, the exams including the Abitur – equivalent of A-levels – take place between March and June to give school leavers enough time to apply for apprenticeships or a place at university as the winter term starts in October. This year, however, the outbreak of the corona pandemic caused schools across Germany to close, casting doubt on whether final exams could take place.

In Germany, the 16 federal states are in charge of education policy which usually creates a mosaic of regulations, exceptions and exam schedules. In March, the state of Hesse, home to the financial metropolis Frankfurt, had already begun holding exams, while other states were still in favour of cancelling the Abitur as well as other school-leaving exams. The northern state of Schleswig-Holstein suggested awarding an ‘average grade’ based on coursework and other exams taken over the last two years.