Abitur
In the Perspektiven section of Kapitel 2 you learned about the German Abitur exam.
You learned that the Abitur is the exam that German students take at the end of their studies at the Gymnasium. Not all German students attend the Gymnasium, however. Click on the following link to find out how German students describe the school system in Berlin and what alternatives students have to attending Gymnasium.
As you explore the following link, you might want to keep a notebook nearby to jot down ideas as you think about the following questions:
- At what age must students begin school according to the law? How long must they stay in school? At what age is attendance considered optional?
- How is the Grundschule in Berlin different from other Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany?
- After completing Grundschule, what are the four types of secondary schools that students and parents can choose from?
- If a student wants to get their Abitur, which school(s) must he/she attend?
- What percentage of secondary school students in Berlin achieve their Abitur?
Home page in English with information about the school system in Berlin.
Look at your notes. Based on what you know and what you learned, show all of the various types of schools in the system, give a brief description of who attends the schools and why. Include the average age of the students at each school. Compare your chart with the charts of your classmates.