Leben in Deutschland test vs Einbürgerungstest

The test 'Leben in Deutschland' (LiD) and the Einbürgerungstest are built from the same official BAMF catalogue: 300 general questions plus 10 questions for each federal state. Both tests have 33 multiple-choice questions (30 general and 3 about your state), and you have 60 minutes. Each question has four options with exactly one correct answer.

So the material you study is identical. The differences are in why you take the test, where you take it, and what score you need.

LiD is the final test of the orientation course (Orientierungskurs), the civics part of the BAMF integration course. You normally take it at the end of the course at your course provider.

• For the integration course, 15 of 33 correct answers is a pass
• Together with the Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) at B1, a passed LiD gives you the 'Zertifikat Integrationskurs'
• Course participants take it through their course provider as part of the course

The Einbürgerungstest is a standalone test for people who want to naturalise. You register at a BAMF-approved test centre (often a Volkshochschule or language school), pay €25, and receive a certificate from BAMF afterwards.

• You need at least 17 of 33 correct answers to pass
• There is no limit on how often you can retake it; each attempt costs the fee again
• You do not need to have attended a course

If you scored at least 17 points in Leben in Deutschland, that result proves the civic knowledge required for naturalisation, and you do not need to sit the Einbürgerungstest. A score of 15 or 16 is enough for the integration course certificate but not for naturalisation.

Keep the BAMF result notice or certificate that shows your points, and hand in a copy with your application. If you are unsure whether your document shows the score clearly enough, ask your Einbürgerungsbehörde before booking a separate test.

• Already in an integration course: aim for 17 or more in LiD. Then one test covers both the course and naturalisation.
• Integration course finished with 15 or 16 points: book the Einbürgerungstest and aim for 17.
• Not in an integration course: book the Einbürgerungstest directly.
• German school-leaving qualification (deutscher Schulabschluss): you are normally exempt from proving civic knowledge by test at all.

Either way, study all 300 general questions plus your state's 10, and practise full 33-question mock tests under a 60-minute limit.