AEVO Exam: Structure, Format and Passing Rules Explained

The AEVO exam (German trainer aptitude exam, Ausbildereignungsprüfung) consists of a written part of about three hours and a practical part of at most 30 minutes: a presentation or practical performance of a training situation, followed by an expert discussion (Fachgespräch). You pass only if both parts are rated at least “ausreichend” (sufficient). This article summarises the structure under the German Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AusbEignV) and the guidance of two chambers of commerce (IHK). It is not legal advice; for your date, the rules of your competent IHK or chamber of crafts apply.

What is the AEVO exam?

Anyone who wants to train apprentices in Germany must prove vocational and pedagogical aptitude. The AusbEignV regulates this. Proof is usually given through the trainer aptitude exam, which the IHK or the chamber of crafts conducts. If you are also working towards a master craftsman exam, our article on how to prepare for the master craftsman exam will help. More topics on careers and further training are in the career development category.

Which fields of action are examined?

Section 3 AusbEignV names four fields of action, which also structure the material:

1. Checking prerequisites and planning training: benefits of training, the vocational training system, suitability of the company and coordination of everyone involved.
2. Preparing training: the company training plan based on the training regulation, working with partners such as the vocational school, selecting trainees, contract and registration.
3. Conducting training: promoting self-directed learning, creating a supportive environment, choosing methods and media, supporting trainees with difficulties, assessing performance, promoting intercultural competence.
4. Completing training: preparing for the final exam, contributing to the certificate, showing career and further-training paths.

How is the written part structured?

Under section 4(2) AusbEignV, the written exam should take three hours and consists of case-based tasks from all fields of action. IHK Erfurt states 180 minutes and 80 multiple-choice tasks; IHK Frankfurt describes an online exam on a PC or tablet, also with 80 questions and 180 minutes. Both set the pass mark at at least 50 points (IHK Erfurt: out of 100). Task numbers and format may differ at other chambers, so ask there.

How does the practical exam work?

Under section 4(3) AusbEignV, you present a self-chosen, job-typical training situation and then take part in an expert discussion. Together this lasts at most 30 minutes, and the presentation should not exceed 15 minutes. Instead of presenting, you can carry out the situation in practice, that is, give an instruction session. Agriculture and home economics have their own rule of at most 60 minutes (section 4(4)).

This is how the two IHKs describe it:

• IHK Frankfurt: up to 5 minutes to set up media, at most 15 minutes of presentation or instruction (going over leads to a deduction), then at least 15 minutes of expert discussion. For an instruction session you bring your own “trainee” there; a colleague is fine.
• IHK Erfurt: in a practical performance, a committee member plays the trainee; the goal should be recognisable within 10 to 15 minutes, and the topic must be feasible in the training rooms, so without hazardous substances and electrical devices.

At IHK Erfurt, the examination board sets the date of the practical part and announces it with the invitation to the written exam.

How do I choose a topic and write the concept?

You decide whether to present or to instruct, and you choose the topic. IHK Frankfurt advises a situation from your own training occupation or one in which you have worked for several years; the training framework plans help you find a topic. The situation should be realistic, with a defined topic, a clear goal, defined target group, a planned method and a link to vocational training.

The chambers differ clearly on the concept. IHK Erfurt recommends a concept of at most 8 pages (font size 12) and requires three copies on the exam day. IHK Frankfurt asks for forms and a short description of the training situation in four copies; these documents are not graded there. So read your chamber’s notes carefully.

What questions come up in the expert discussion?

The expert discussion is for justifying the choice and design of your training situation. According to IHK Frankfurt you first reflect briefly yourself, then the discussion mostly covers aspects of the short description that did not appear in your presentation. Trainer competence, reaching the goal, methods and alternative methods, and measures to secure learning success are assessed. Typical questions are therefore:

• Why did you choose this method, and what alternative would have been possible?
• How did you check learning success, and how do you secure transfer into daily work?
• How would you react if the trainee were overwhelmed or unmotivated?
• What would you do differently next time?

According to IHK Frankfurt, no aids are allowed in the expert discussion; with a PowerPoint presentation, the computer must be closed beforehand. During the presentation or instruction, however, it allows self-made keyword notes. More in IHK technical discussion: typical questions and answers; the term is explained in the glossary under technical discussion.

When have I passed?

Under section 4(1) AusbEignV, you pass if each part is rated at least “ausreichend”. IHK Frankfurt implements this as at least 50 points in the written part and at least 50 points in the practical part (presentation or instruction plus expert discussion); IHK Erfurt likewise states at least 50 out of 100 points for the written part. Under section 4(1), a failed exam can be repeated twice, and a passed part can be credited, according to IHK Frankfurt for at most two years. There is no oral supplementary exam for the written part there.

How do I prepare?

1. Work through the fields of action: all four appear in the case tasks. Practise case tasks with mock exams under time pressure.
2. Choose your situation early: a topic from your daily work saves research time and makes you more confident in the discussion.
3. Time yourself: practise the 15 minutes aloud, including media setup, and keep to the limit.
4. Have alternatives ready: for each method you need a reasoned alternative.
5. Simulate the discussion: have follow-up questions asked, for example by a study group or with an oral exam simulator.
6. Plan for nerves: practise the opening minute until it feels automatic.

LearnCastAI can help you revise: your own scripts become flashcards and audio versions for on the go. It replaces neither a preparation course nor a real mock exam, and it does not guarantee exam success.

What do the examiners look for?

IHK Frankfurt lists the assessment criteria separately. For the presentation, addressee focus, analysis of the starting situation, formulation of goals, choice of methods, structure, confident use of media and communication skills count. For the instruction, introduction and learning goal, motivating the trainee, communication, choice of methods, checking learning success and transfer, and use of media count. This gives you a clear practice programme: state right at the start for whom you are preparing the situation and which goal is to be reached, justify every method and plan a short check of learning success at the end. According to the chamber, a presentation is addressed either to the examination board or, in the imagined setting, to company management; say explicitly who your audience is meant to be in the situation.

Which mistakes happen often?

The chambers’ notes point to four typical stumbling blocks. First, time: according to IHK Frankfurt, going over 15 minutes leads to a deduction, and you have at most 5 minutes there to set up media. Second, a topic that is too big: a defined situation is required, not an entire occupation. Third, missing alternatives: the expert discussion explicitly asks about other methods. Fourth, organisational slips, such as missing copies of the concept or the short description; how many copies you need and when to hand them in is set by your chamber. Also plan your own technology: IHK Erfurt provides a flipchart, pin board and multimedia screen, you bring the laptop yourself, and a handout is recommended.

Conclusion

The AEVO exam is well plannable: a written part across all four fields of action, a practical part of at most 30 minutes and twice at least “ausreichend”. Your chamber sets the details on task format, concept and documents. If you pick a topic early, practise aloud and can justify your choice of methods, you will walk in calmly. The information here comes from the pages we retrieved on 12 October 2026.