Reifeprüfung

Reifeprüfung, school-leaving examination giving access to university studies, introduced in 1849 as "Maturitätsprüfung" (test of maturity) at the end of the 8^th year of the Gymnasium secondary school to standardise admission to university. In 1908 it underwent major reforms and was renamed Reifeprüfung; 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 Reifeprüfung as an external examination (Externistenprüfung) or by the Studienberechtigungsprüfung exams.