Additional and extension test

The content on this page was translated automatically.

With regard to the type and scope of the extension or additional examination and the associated course of study, the Hessian Teachers' Academy recommends seeking individual advice from the Kassel Examination Office.

Extension test

Students who have passed the first state examination for a teaching profession can take extension examinations in other subjects of this teaching profession. The addition of the extension subject ("third or fourth subject") can already take place during the regular course of study.

  • The earliest time for an extension examination is in the next examination phase after the first state examination. However, it can also be taken at any later point in time
  • As a rule, the content and coursework to be completed correspond to the same regulations as when studying the subject as a second or third subject. However, unlike in a regular degree course, there is no specific order in which the modules must be taken (although certain sequences are recommended).
  • The grade of the extension examination is not included in the grade of the first state examination. However, the extension subject is taken into account in the recruitment process for the teaching profession and can therefore improve your chances of being hired. The grade for the extension subject is determined by the extension examination. Here you can choose between a four-hour final exam or a final oral exam (L1: 20 minutes, L2 and L3: 60 minutes each).

Special features of L1

In the elementary school teaching degree according to the MPO of 2023, the extension subject can be studied either as a short or long subject. The subjects art, music or sport can only be studied as a long subject in preparation for an extension examination.

Special features of L4

There is a special regulation for the teaching degree programs at vocational schools. Here it is also possible to take an extension examination via the Kassel Examination Office; the extension subject is studied in advance in accordance with L3 MPO.

Further information

The school internships to be completed (SPS- II/Praxissemester) can be replaced by a subject-didactic equivalence module if necessary. It is also possible to receive credit for the school internships from the First State Examination (ESP), provided that the subject of the EP is related to one of the subjects of the First State Examination (e.g. between the natural sciences or between the modern foreign languages).
If you have any questions regarding credit transfer and equivalence modules, please contact the academic advisors of the extension subject.

Equivalence module in the practical semester MPO 2023

A practical semester module must also be completed in the extension subject. Therefore, please register for this one semester in advance; you will find a registration form on the website of the SPS department during the registration period. If you have already completed an internship semester, you have the option of applying for an equivalence module in the extension subject; you submit the application to the module examination board of the respective subject, which you contact via the Examinations Office. Please also submit the application for the equivalence module in good time and inform the SPS department of the decision.

Further information on the equivalence module can be found on the homepage of the SPS department.

The Kassel Examination Office of the Hessian Teachers' Academy will be happy to answer any questions about the extension examination.

Additional test

Anyone who has passed the second state examination in a teaching profession can acquire the teaching qualification for a further type of teaching profession with a supplementary examination. Additional examinations require further suitable studies. As a rule, you enrol for these studies at the university; in exceptional cases, you can also complete the studies as a guest student.
The teaching qualification for the teaching profession at vocational schools and for the teaching profession at grammar schoolscannot be acquired through an additional examination.

Additional examination for the teaching profession at elementary school

This additional examination can be taken if the second state examination for the teaching profession at Hauptschulen and Realschulen, for the teaching profession at Gymnasien, for the teaching profession at vocational schools or for the teaching profession at special schools has been passed.

Three subjects (mathematics, German and another subject) must be studied for the additional examination to qualify to teach at elementary school, as well as the didactics of elementary school. Accordingly, examinations must be taken in all parts, including one written examination and three 20-minute oral examinations. Credits from the subject-specific area are possible.

Additional examination for the teaching profession at Hauptschulen and Realschulen

This additional examination can be taken if the second state examination for the teaching profession at elementary school, for the teaching profession at grammar schools, for the teaching profession at vocational schools or for the teaching profession at special schools has been passed.

There are two groups of cases for the additional examination to obtain the qualification to teach at Hauptschulen and Realschulen:

  1. Those who hold the teaching qualification for the teaching profession at elementary school must study two subjects for grades 5 to 10 and take an examination in both subjects, one of which is a written examination and the other an oral examination.
  2. If you have a teaching qualification for the other teaching subjects (L3-L5), you must study a new subject (grades 5 to 10) and write a written exam or take an oral exam.

Additional examination for the teaching profession at special schools

This additional examination can be taken if the second state examination for the teaching profession at elementary school, for the teaching profession at Hauptschulen and Realschulen, for the teaching profession at grammar schools or for the teaching profession at vocational schools has been passed.

Please contact the Kassel Examination Office of the Hessian Teachers' Academy in good time to find out more about the details of the additional examination and the necessary requirements or possible credits from previous studies.