How to Study for Exams at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Frankfurt School publishes general regulations for all its study and examination rules (Allgemeine Bestimmungen für Studien- und Prüfungsordnungen, or ABPO). The version this guide reads is dated 13 May 2025. Each programme then adds its own regulations and module descriptions, which decide the exam form, its length and the points. Always check the current versions on the Frankfurt School website, and treat this guide as a plain-language reading of the framework, not as legal advice.

The useful part for studying is that the rules are specific. They tell you how points turn into grades, how many attempts you have and what happens if you cannot sit an exam. Knowing that early lets you aim your effort where the marks are.

What the general regulations say, in plain terms

Two details matter for planning. First, because a retake is offered soon after the regular exam, a failed first attempt is not the end, but it does shorten the time you have to prepare the second one. Second, a passed module cannot be repeated to improve the grade.

• You are registered for all exams in your study plan unless you withdraw with reasons. For modules that need registration, you register for the exam when you register for the module.
• Module exams are offered twice: once as the regular exam and once as a retake soon after. A failed exam or exam part can be repeated twice.
• A module is passed when you reach at least half of the points available for it.
• Most written assessments are marked within three weeks, oral and practical exams excluded. Results are published in the Online-Campus.
• If you miss an exam without an accepted reason, it counts as failed.

Turn the points scale into a study target

Grades are set from the share of available points you reach. In the scale in the regulations, 50% is the lowest pass (4.0), around 65% is a 3.0, 80% is a 2.0, and 95% or more is a 1.0. Below 50% is a fail.

This changes how to revise. You are collecting points, not proving mastery of every line. After each practice attempt, mark yourself with the same percentage logic, then list which topics cost you the most points. Spend the next session there. The guide to using practice exams shows how to turn a marked attempt into a revision list.

Plan study time from the credit points

The regulations set the workload per credit point (CP) at 25 hours for full-time, part-time and dual programmes, and 30 hours for intensive programmes. A module description splits this into contact hours in class and independent learning, which includes preparation, follow-up and exam revision.

As an example, a module worth 6 CP at 25 hours per CP has about 150 hours of total work. If class takes up a third of that, roughly 100 hours are yours to organise. Your own module description gives the real figures. If your independent hours are far below that, you are likely to find yourself catching up during the exam period.

Match your revision to the exam format

The regulations allow many exam forms, among them written exams, tests and multiple-choice, term papers, presentations, oral exams, portfolios, projects, case-based simulations and class participation. Exams can also be electronic, taken on your own device in a room or, on a voluntary basis, remotely. For remote exams you should be given the chance to try the technical set-up beforehand.

Practise in the format you will face. For oral exams, which are taken by two examiners or one examiner with an expert assessor, rehearse spoken answers and follow-up questions, as in the oral exam guide. For written coursework, you can be asked to submit it electronically for a plagiarism check, so allow time for references and the declaration that the work is your own.

If something goes wrong

The practical rule is simple: keep your phone and any unapproved material out of the exam room, and if you cannot attend, tell the Prüfungsamt the same day and get the certificate.

• Illness: apply to the Prüfungsamt (examinations office) immediately in writing and hand in a doctor's certificate within three working days of the exam starting. Without that, a missed exam counts as failed.
• Other serious reasons: the same written, immediate application applies, and the reasons must be made credible.
• Failed twice: in at most one module of an academic programme you can apply, within a month of the result, for an oral supplementary exam. The examination committee decides, and it is not available for the thesis.
• Cheating: unauthorised help or aids, including carrying them into the exam, count as an attempt at cheating. The exam is then scored zero, and in serious cases, for example involving a mobile phone, the module can be capped at 50% of the points or declared finally failed.

Official resources to check

Dates, room access, registration rules, and opening hours can change. Confirm the details that affect your exam on the relevant official page.