das  Staatsexamen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtaːtsɛksaˈmeːn/

🎓 What Exactly is 'das Staatsexamen'?

Das Staatsexamen (neuter noun) is a state examination in Germany that concludes certain courses of study, particularly those leading to regulated professions.

It differs from university exams (like Bachelor or Master degrees) because it is administered directly by the state or its authorities, or under state supervision. Typical subjects concluding with a Staatsexamen include:

• Rechtswissenschaft (Law)
• Medizin (Medicine)
• Zahnmedizin (Dentistry)
• Tiermedizin (Veterinary Medicine)
• Pharmazie (Pharmacy)
• Lebensmittelchemie (Food Chemistry)
• Lehramt (Teaching, in many federal states, often as 'Erstes Staatsexamen' for the theoretical part and 'Zweites Staatsexamen' after the practical training period or 'Referendariat')

There is often an Erstes Staatsexamen (First State Examination) after university studies and a Zweites Staatsexamen (Second State Examination) after a practical training phase (e.g., Referendariat for lawyers and teachers).

⚠️ Important: Not all degree programs end with a Staatsexamen. Many were converted to Bachelor/Master degrees as part of the Bologna Process.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Staatsexamen

The word "Staatsexamen" is a neuter noun (sächlich). Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences:

1. Sie bereitet sich intensiv auf das Staatsexamen vor.
   (She is preparing intensively for the state examination.)
2. Nach Bestehen des Staatsexamens darf er als Arzt arbeiten.
   (After passing the state examination, he is allowed to work as a doctor.)
3. Viele Studierende fürchten sich vor dem Staatsexamen.
   (Many students are afraid of the state examination.)
4. Er hat das Erste Staatsexamen erfolgreich abgelegt.
   (He successfully passed the First State Examination.)
5. Die Ergebnisse der Staatsexamina wurden veröffentlicht.
   (The results of the state examinations were published.)

🗣️ How to Use "Staatsexamen"?

The term "Staatsexamen" is primarily used in academic and professional contexts when discussing qualifications for certain state-regulated professions.

• Typical Contexts: University studies (Studium), exams (Prüfungen), professional qualification (Berufsqualifikation), law (Rechtswesen), medicine (Medizin), teaching (Lehramt).
• Formality: It's a formal term used in official documents, study regulations, and conversations about academic careers.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish the Staatsexamen from Bachelor/Master degrees, even though those are also academic qualifications. The Staatsexamen often implies direct state control and licensure for a profession.
• Compounds: It is often specified, e.g., Juristisches Staatsexamen (Law State Exam), Medizinisches Staatsexamen (Medical State Exam), Erstes/Zweites Staatsexamen (First/Second State Exam).
• Phrases: "das Staatsexamen machen/ablegen/bestehen/nicht bestehen" (to take/pass/fail the state exam), "im Staatsexamen durchfallen" (to fail the state exam), "sich auf das Staatsexamen vorbereiten" (to prepare for the state exam).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'das': Think of 'das Examen' (the exam). An exam is a thing, an event, something neutral/neuter. The exam ('Examen') from the state ('Staat') is das Staatsexamen.

For the meaning: Imagine the State 🏛️ (der Staat) giving you a huge, important test (an Examen 📝) before you can do an important job (doctor, lawyer, teacher). That's the Staatsexamen.

🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms

🚨 Caution: Not every final exam ('Abschlussprüfung') is a 'Staatsexamen'!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Professor im Staatsexamen: "Was ist Betrug?" Antwortet der Student: "Wenn Sie mich durchfallen lassen!" Fragt der Professor: "Wieso das denn?" Student: "Weil es Betrug ist, wenn jemand Unwissenheit ausnutzt, um einen anderen zu schädigen!"

Translation:
The professor asks in the state exam: "What is fraud?"
The student answers: "If you fail me!"
The professor asks: "Why is that?"
Student: "Because it's fraud when someone exploits ignorance to harm another!"

📜 A Poem About the Exam

Der Bücherstapel, hoch und breit,
Die Nerven blank, die Zeit entgleit.
Gesetze, Fälle, Anatomie,
Das Wissen brennt, Knie an Knie.

Der Staat schaut zu, mit strengem Blick,
Entscheidet über Leid und Glück.
Das Staatsexamen, Hürde schwer,
Danach das Leben – bitte sehr!

Translation:
The stack of books, high and wide,
Nerves frayed, time starts to glide.
Laws, cases, anatomy,
Knowledge burns, knee to knee.

The state looks on, with gaze severe,
Deciding fate, bringing pain or cheer.
The Staatsexamen, hurdle tall,
Then life awaits – give it your all!

❓ Who Am I? A Riddle

Ich bin kein König, doch vom Staat gemacht,
Ich prüfe Wissen, Tag und Nacht.
Für Ärzte, Juristen oder Lehrer,
Bin ich das Tor, mal schwer, mal schwerer.

Man paukt für mich, mit Schweiß und Fleiß,
Besteht man mich, ist das der Preis.
Für einen Beruf, ehrenwert,
Wer hat mein Wesen wohl erklärt?

Translation:
I am no king, but made by the state,
I test knowledge, early and late.
For doctors, lawyers, teachers too,
I am the gate, sometimes hard, sometimes harder for you.

People cram for me, with sweat and diligence bright,
Passing me is the reward, the prize, the light.
For a profession, held in high esteem,
Who has explained my nature, it would seem?

(Solution: das Staatsexamen)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Staatsexamen" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Staat: Refers to the state authority that organizes or supervises the examination.
• Examen: Comes from the Latin word 'examen', originally meaning "the tongue of a balance", later "test", "examination", "investigation".

Historical Context:

The Staatsexamen is a traditional part of the German education system, especially for professions with high responsibility and social importance. Although the Bologna Process converted many study programs to Bachelor/Master degrees, the Staatsexamen persists for certain core professions to ensure uniform quality standards and state control over professional licensure.