How the first state exam is structured
The first law exam has two parts: a university exam in a specialisation and a state exam in the compulsory subjects (§ 5(1) of the German Judiciary Act, DRiG). Together they are commonly called the “first state exam”. Each federal state regulates the details in its own legal-education statute.
The state exam in the compulsory subjects
Under § 5a(2) DRiG the compulsory subjects are the core areas of civil law, criminal law, public law and procedural law, including their European law aspects, legal methodology and their philosophical, historical and social foundations. The exam consists of written papers and an oral exam. The number and length of papers depend on your state.
The university specialisation
Your university examines the specialisation, which deepens and complements the compulsory subjects. It usually includes a seminar paper and further assessments; your faculty’s regulations set the details.
The 0 to 18 point scale
German law exams are graded nationwide on a federal regulation’s grade and point scale:
- sehr gut (very good): 16 to 18 points
- gut (good): 13 to 15 points
- vollbefriedigend (fully satisfactory): 10 to 12 points
- befriedigend (satisfactory): 7 to 9 points
- ausreichend (sufficient): 4 to 6 points
- mangelhaft (deficient): 1 to 3 points
- ungenügend (insufficient): 0 points
The state exam counts 70 percent towards the overall grade, the specialisation 30 percent (§ 5d(2) DRiG). Lexxington’s grade calculator uses this weighting, so you can see what overall grade a given specialisation result produces together with a given state exam result.
A study plan for exam preparation
Many students plan twelve to eighteen months of preparation, whether with a commercial cram course (Repetitorium), a university programme or on their own. Structure matters more than format. A plan that works has three phases:
Phase 1: Cover the whole syllabus once
Go through every compulsory subject once and close the gaps. Work with self-testing from day one, not reading alone. In Lexxington every part of a lesson sits behind a card: say it first, then reveal. Cards and questions then come back on a schedule.
Phase 2: Review and connect
Review spaced and mixed. Flashcards keep definitions fresh, mixed cases train you to spot issues. The research is clear here: Cepeda and colleagues (2006) showed that spaced reviews last longer than massed study.
Phase 3: Write exams
In the final months, write exams under exam conditions regularly. Lexxington includes 33 exams with a countdown. You write your own solution, the app grades it on premise, definition, subsumption and result on the point scale, and only then shows the model outline. Practice exams marked by your university are a good addition.
Exam technique: what matters
An exam paper tests three things: whether you find the issues, whether you place them correctly, and whether you solve them at the right length. Knowledge alone is not enough; you need a routine for structure.
- Read the facts twice and pin down the questions.
- Sketch a solution with the claims or offences to examine.
- Set priorities: detailed where the facts give detail, brief where nothing is in dispute.
- Write in the expert-opinion style (Gutachtenstil) and end with a clear result.
The expert-opinion style is explained in solving German law cases. The app’s 132 exam schemes show the structure of individual tests.
Do not forget state law
In public law each state examines its own law: police law, municipal law and building regulations. Know only federal law and you lose points. Lexxington covers all 16 states with their own lessons, questions and cases.
Pick your state in the overview of federal states. Binding dates, registration deadlines and admission requirements are available only from your state’s exam office.
Frequently asked questions
How long does exam preparation take?
Many plan twelve to eighteen months. Students who review spaced during their degree start with fewer gaps.
How is the first state exam graded?
The state exam counts 70 percent, the university specialisation 30 percent (§ 5d(2) DRiG), on a scale of 0 to 18 points.
How many papers will I write?
Your federal state decides. The current number is in the exam regulations and available from the exam office.
Does Lexxington replace a Repetitorium?
Lexxington is a training tool for recall, review and cases. Whether you also take a cram course or a university programme is up to you; the app works with both.