Reifeprüfung#

Reifepruefung, school-leaving examination giving access to university studies, introduced in 1849 as "Maturitaetspruefung" (test of maturity) at the end of the 8th year of the Gymnasium secondary school to standardise admission to university. In 1908 it underwent major reforms and was renamed Reifepruefung; since passing of the School Legislation of 1962 it has been the final exam of all general and vocational secondary schools; it is a prerequisite for admission to universities and Fachhochschulen. Admission to university can also be attained by taking the Reifepruefung as an external examination (Externistenpruefung) or by the Studienberechtigungspruefung exams.