How Many Correct Answers Do You Need to Pass the German Citizenship Test?
You need 17 correct answers out of 33 to pass the Einbürgerungstest and qualify for German citizenship. Score 15 out of 33 and you earn the Orientierungskurs completion certificate instead. The exam lasts 60 minutes, there is no penalty for wrong answers, and retakes cost 25 € each time.
The Two Pass Thresholds Explained
The German citizenship test — officially called the Leben in Deutschland Test — has two separate pass thresholds that determine which certificate you receive. Understanding these thresholds before you sit the exam is essential so you can set the right target during your preparation.
The first threshold is 15 correct answers out of 33. Reaching this score earns you the Orientierungskurs certificate, which confirms successful completion of the civic knowledge component of an integration course. This certificate is useful for certain residence permit purposes but is not sufficient for a citizenship application.
The second threshold is 17 correct answers out of 33. This is the score you need to pass the Einbürgerungstest for naturalization. Scoring 17 or more earns you the official Einbürgerungstest certificate, which is one of the required documents when you apply for German citizenship. If you are studying for citizenship, always aim for 17 or more — and ideally aim for 20 or above to build in a comfortable margin. See the full explanation of both certificates for more details.
How the Scoring Works
Each of the 33 questions on the exam is worth one point. There is no partial credit and no negative marking — a wrong answer scores zero, not minus one. This means that guessing on questions you are unsure about can only help you, never hurt you. If you have eliminated one or two obviously wrong options, your chances of guessing correctly improve significantly.
The questions are all multiple-choice with four options (A, B, C, D), and each question has exactly one correct answer. There are no open-ended written questions and no oral component — the entire test is completed on paper in the examination room. Your score is the total number of correct answers out of 33.
Results fall into three bands: below 15 (no certificate, must retake), 15–16 (Orientierungskurs certificate), and 17–33 (Einbürgerungstest certificate). Scores within the passing range are not graded further — whether you score 17 or 33, you receive the same Einbürgerungstest certificate. However, practicing to a higher score during preparation builds confidence and reduces the risk of falling just short on exam day.
Managing the 60-Minute Time Limit
You have 60 minutes to answer all 33 questions — just under two minutes per question. For most candidates this is generous, as questions test factual knowledge rather than complex reasoning. The time limit mainly becomes a factor if you read German slowly or second-guess yourself repeatedly.
Work through all 33 questions at a steady pace, marking any difficult ones, then return to flagged questions if time allows. Do not spend more than two minutes on any single question. If you are unsure, mark your best guess and move on. You can revise before handing in your sheet.
Practice under real conditions using Einbürger's Exam Mode, which selects 33 questions at random from the full 310-question BAMF pool and starts a 60-minute timer — replicating the official test format so exam day feels familiar.
After the Test: Results and Retakes
Once you submit your answer sheet, VHS staff score your exam. Results are usually announced the same day or sent by post within a few days. You receive a printed certificate if you score 15 or more. If you score below 15, you must register for a retake.
There is no waiting period between retakes. Register at your VHS as soon as you are ready. Each retake costs 25 €, and there is no limit on attempts. A focused study period with practice exams typically brings scores well above the 17/33 threshold on subsequent attempts.
Once you pass with 17 or more, the Einbürgerungstest certificate does not expire. As of 2026, you need a minimum of 5 years of legal residence in Germany to apply for citizenship — reduced from 8 years by a 2024 law reform. Dual citizenship is now permitted under German law.
How to Simulate the Exam with Einbürger
Tap the Exam Mode button on the home screen. The app will randomly select 33 questions from the full 310-question BAMF pool and start a 60-minute countdown timer.
Work through the questions at a steady pace. If you are unsure of an answer, make your best guess — there is no penalty for wrong answers. Aim to finish before the timer runs out.
When the exam ends, Einbürger shows your total score. Compare it against both thresholds: 15 for the Orientierungskurs certificate and 17 for the citizenship certificate.
After each practice exam, go back through the questions you answered incorrectly. Use Study Mode to focus on those topics until you are consistently answering them correctly.
Aim for a comfortable margin above the 17/33 citizenship threshold. When you are consistently scoring 20 or more in Exam Mode, you are well prepared for the official test.
What happens if I score exactly 16 out of 33?
A score of 16 earns the Orientierungskurs certificate but not the Einbürgerungstest certificate required for citizenship. You would need to retake the exam and score at least 17. The retake fee is 25 €.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Each correct answer scores one point and each wrong or blank answer scores zero. There is no negative marking, so you should always make your best guess on questions you are unsure about.
Does my score affect my citizenship application beyond passing or failing?
No. As long as you score 17 or more, you receive the Einbürgerungstest certificate. There is no distinction between a score of 17 and a score of 33 on the certificate — both simply show that you passed.
Ready to Pass Your Test?
Download Einbürger free and start studying today. All 310 official BAMF questions, 14 languages, and a realistic exam simulation — fully offline, no account needed. Your German citizenship is within reach.
Leben in Deutschland Test 2026
Everything you need to know about the official German citizenship test — what it covers, where to register, and what to expect on test day.
Read guideGerman Citizenship Test Questions
All 310 official BAMF questions explained — how they are structured, what topics they cover, and why using an app beats studying a PDF.
Read guideLeben in Deutschland vs. Einbürgerungstest
They sound like different tests — but they are the same exam. What changes is only the certificate you receive based on your score.
Read guideStudy for the Test in Your Own Language
All 310 questions are available in 14 languages. The official exam itself is conducted in German only — but you can prepare in your own language.
Read guide