In addition, you need to pass a test covering Austria’s democratic system, history, and social norms and customs.
The good news is that you do not need to be an expert on every detail when it comes to Austria and its history. However, a basic understanding of key aspects of Austria’s history, its democratic system, and some regional information is necessary.
How is the test structured?
The test, which is in German and was introduced 2006, lasts for 120 minutes and you have to answer 18 questions in total. These include six questions on democracy in Austria, six on the history of Austria and six on the history of the respective federal state where you are taking the exam.
The questions on the democratic system and history of Austria are prepared by a central committee and the regional questions are prepared by the respective federal governments.
Four answer options are offered for each question, at least one of which is correct, but not all.
You pass the test if you achieve at least half of the available points in each section of the exam, or if you earn a total score that is around two-thirds of the maximum possible points.
If you fail the test, you can take it again until you pass.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who is entitled to Austrian citizenship by descent and how to apply for it?
On a national level, you should be familiar with basic facts and able to demonstrate understanding of topics such as Austria’s national day and its significance, the consequences of the First World War for Austria, the influence of the Habsburg dynasty, and the empire that governed Austria for five centuries.
You should also be able to answer questions about Austria’s political system, social norms, and customs. This includes understanding the fundamental aspects of the legal system in Austria, the right to vote, the different Austrian federal states, and how the state finances certain sectors, such as the public education system.
Additionally, the test covers questions on the principles of democracy, the aspects of a liberal state, and the concept of human dignity.
The Local is a great resource for many of these topics:
- ‘Most of us don’t live in castles’: What became of Austria’s Habsburg dynasty?
- What you need to know about Austrian National Day on October 26th
- Reader question: Can I vote in Austria’s presidential elections?
If you want to know more about the possible questions that may come up on the test, you can do a preparation test HERE.
You can also try out The Local’s citizenship test HERE.
What about the local knowledge?
The test includes six questions about the history of the federal state where you are taking the exam. The questions focus on regional history, significant local events, and local heritage.
The questions are designed to demonstrate your knowledge of the specific state where you are living, reflecting your integration into the local community.
If you want to improve your knowledge of your specific region, it can be a good idea to do some research, visit local museums, check government websites and ask some questions to the locals in your community.
To prepare for the questions specific to your state, you can explore practice tests available HERE.
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