Einbürgerungstest Revision Notes
The essential facts for the Einbürgerungstest, condensed chapter by chapter — a fast recap for the days before your test. For the full explanations, see the study guide; to cram, use the cheat sheet.
1. Politics & democracy
- Germany is a democratic, federal, social and constitutional state (Rechtsstaat).
- The Bundestag is the elected national parliament; the Bundesrat represents the 16 federal states.
- Bundestag elections are normally held every four years.
- The Chancellor leads the federal government; the Federal President is the head of state.
2. History
- 8 May 1945 marks the end of the Second World War in Europe and of the National Socialist dictatorship.
- After the war Germany was divided into East (GDR) and West (FRG).
- The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and fell on 9 November 1989.
- Germany was reunified on 3 October 1990 — the Day of German Unity.
3. Society
- Article 1 of the Basic Law states that human dignity is inviolable.
- Fundamental rights include freedom of expression, faith and religion, and equality before the law.
- Germany has freedom of the press and freedom of assembly.
- Men and women have equal rights under the Basic Law.
4. Federal states
- Germany has 16 federal states (Bundesländer).
- Berlin is the capital of Germany and is itself a city-state.
- Each federal state has its own parliament (Landtag) and state government.
- 3 of the 33 test questions are about your own federal state.