Examination requirements
Are previous qualifications required?
No! In order to take part in the expert knowledge examination, you must none certain requirements must be met. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce does not check in advance whether you have attended a preparatory course, nor whether you meet the personal requirements (reliability). You also do not have to have attended a preparatory course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or another educational institution. You “only” have to pass the written and oral examination before a Chamber of Industry and Commerce in order to receive your certificate of competence according to § 34a of the Trade Regulation Act.
For this should You must have a good command of written and spoken German. This is because you need to understand the often difficult-to-understand questions and answer options in the written subject knowledge test. The test is offered exclusively in German! In the oral examination, you must also be able to freely answer the questions you are asked about the examination topics in German.
In addition, everyone is well advised to really deal intensively with the topics of the expert knowledge examination. Because failure rates of 50% or higher are not uncommon. It often happens that a large number of participants fail the first part of the examination, the written examination, and are therefore not admitted to the second part of the examination, the oral examination.
In order to ensure sufficient knowledge of the German language, the following are required for the Teaching procedure meanwhile, language skills that are Language level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, this regulation applies not for the expert knowledge examination!
What preparation options are there?
Depending on the type of learner, time and financial possibilities, the following preparation options are available:
- Classroom courses (full and part-time)
Courses are offered in many cities by chambers of industry and commerce, associations or safety schools. Depending on the model, the courses take place part-time (especially for working people) in the evening or at weekends, or as a preparatory course full-time. For full-time courses, a course duration of 1 to 2 weeks makes sense. Prices start at around 250 euros. - Distance & Online Courses (eLearning)
Distance learning offers the possibility to prepare for the examination at a reduced time, even while working. In addition, these learning models are significantly cheaper. However, as there are no traditional lessons by a lecturer, a little more initiative is required. Interactive learning systems with learning texts, exam questions and support by e‑mail and telephone also offer convenience here. The prices are quite different and start at around 10 euros. - Textbooks & Study Books
Self-study preparation with specialised literature is usually the cheapest option, but not always the most efficient. It is important here to get textbooks that are really suitable and close to the exam. The basic danger is not preparing intensively enough or possibly concentrating too much on unimportant content. As a rule, a contact person for queries or for problems of understanding is not at hand here. There is also no feedback (learning objectives check) as to whether one has really prepared sufficiently before the exam. Conclusion: Ideal as a supplement. Only conditionally suitable for sole preparation. - Flashcards — on paper and digitally
Flashcards are available on paper as learning boxes (often as a comprehensive set or for individual topics) and as a digital variant online or as an app. The advantage of flashcards is that they are easy and efficient to learn. In this way, subject areas and individual flashcards that are frequently answered incorrectly can be practised more intensively. Others that have already been memorised can be put away. The prices for flashcards, learning boxes and apps vary and start at around 10 euros.
Which education provider should I choose?
Especially with comparatively expensive face-to-face courses, make sure that your money is well spent and that you are well prepared for the exam. It is important to choose a suitable educational institution in advance. For example, you should look for appropriate certificates such as approval according to AZAV (Accreditation and Approval Ordinance for Employment Promotion), certified quality management (according to DIN EN ISO 9001), recognition by the BDSW (= Federal Association of the Security Industry) or similar quality features. If you are looking for work and would like to receive funding for the course from the employment agency, the training provider must also be able to provide a corresponding measure number! A good, practical tip is to simply get in touch with other people and exchange experiences. If you don’t (yet) know anyone in the security industry or want to quickly look for a recommendation online, just visit the Forum here at sachkunde-34a.de
You can find out more about the topics & contents of the 34a expert knowledge examination on the next page!
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