How Many Correct Answers Do I Need in the German Citizenship Test?

For proof used in a naturalization application, you need at least 17 correct answers out of 33. A score of 15 is relevant to the Leben in Deutschland course test, which is why both numbers appear online.

The two thresholds

The exam paper has 33 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four possible answers and one correct answer.

• 15 correct: the Leben in Deutschland test is passed.
• 17 correct: the result meets the knowledge threshold used for naturalization.
• Fewer than 15: the LiD test is not passed.

If citizenship is your goal, prepare for the 17-point threshold even when you are enrolled in an orientation course.

Do not aim for exactly 17

Seventeen is a legal minimum, not a comfortable practice target. Different random questions and simple concentration errors can change your result. A safer target is to score well above 17 in several complete simulations.

Review every wrong answer, repeat weak topics and make sure you have selected the correct federal state. Three of the real exam questions come from that state-specific set.

The current rules should always be checked on the BAMF naturalization test page.