How long should I prepare for the expert knowledge examination (§ 34a GewO)?
The crucial question in the field of subject matter preparation: How long to learn, how much to practise?
The question about preparation time is truly a classic question that I get asked again and again. But there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this.
The answer is: it depends!
There are a number of factors that influence the length of preparation. One major one is the learner himself/herself, others are the learning environment and conditions, and the way one prepares. Here some experiencewhich may of course differ in individual cases:
- As a German Native speaker the exam is much easier for you overall
- If you already Prior knowledge e.g. from a training course according to § 34a GewO, you only need to repeat and deepen a large part of the learning topics.
- As a young person who is both Learning and learning methods still used to from school & studies, as well as Exam situations you often find it easier to prepare
- Also on the side is the expert knowledge examination with a preparation period of approx. 2 months well manageable. If you have more time, e.g. because you have no other commitments and can study full time, a significantly shorter learning period will also suffice. Who a lot on one’s mind (family, job, voluntary work, etc.) should be on the safe side. Allow more time.
- Besides your personal performance requirements also plays the Motivation play a big role! Motivated and goal-oriented people who see the exam positively as a new career opportunity usually prepare better and come out of the IHK exam successful!
- If you use the wrong exam content learn or use these not properly explained become, then you are wasting time or get mixed up. The same applies to practice questions, which you should definitely prepare with. Use Tried and tested and well evaluated learning material such as books, flashcards, apps or online courses for your preparation!
- By Fixed periods for learning (e.g. always in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m.), you can continuously expand your knowledge and overcome your inner obstacle more easily.
- In addition, use otherwise Unused times and other free spaces (e.g. waiting time at the doctor’s, idling at work, travelling by train etc.) for learning and answering 34a test questions!
Best Practice: My recommendation for preparation on the side
If you would like to prepare for the expert knowledge examination on the side within one or two months and safely achieve your § 34a certificate, the following has proven itself following learning tactics proven:
Study with your learning material for 1–2 hours every day. On weekends, study one day, for a total of at least 8 hours very intensively — including working on test questions. (If you work on weekends, then take another day off as a weekly intensive learning day). At the end of each learning phase, do some mock exams to check your learning level (learning target check). Areas in which you are not yet proficient enough should be studied more intensively on the following days. Keep doing this until you achieve correct solutions in the stable 90% mock exams. Then you should be fit for the exam. You can find more tips — also for preparing for the oral exam — at www.sachkunde-34a.de/insider-tipps-lernunterlagen-34a.