Münster's 2024 Abitur exams begin April 16 with 4,864 students testing
Exceptions Apply for Some Schools
This year, final exams (Abitur) will still be held at ten public "cluster high schools" (Bündelungsgymnasien), one private cluster high school, and three G9 pilot schools—schools that have continued to follow the traditional nine-year Gymnasium model (G9).
Cluster high schools serve students who, despite the broader transition to the G8 system, are taking their Abitur this year due to circumstances such as repeating a grade or transferring schools.
Regardless of these changes, Abitur exams at comprehensive schools (Gesamtschulen), adult education colleges (Weiterbildungskollegs), and Waldorf schools will proceed as usual.
The written Abitur exams begin on April 16 with Spanish, Portuguese, Modern Greek, and Ancient Greek. A full schedule of key dates for the 2026 Abitur is available at: https://www.standardsicherung.schulministerium.nrw.de/zentralabitur-gost/termine/rahmentermine-und-terminierung-der-schriftlichen-pruefungen-den-0
Additionally, vocational Gymnasien (upper-secondary schools at Berufskollegs) will also administer Abitur exams, using standardized state-wide test questions. The exam schedule for these schools can be found here: https://www.standardsicherung.schulministerium.nrw.de/zentralabitur-berufliches-gymnasium/termine/termine-zum-zentralabitur-am-beruflichen-gymnasium-2026
Role of the Münster Regional Government
The Münster Regional Government (Bezirksregierung Münster) ensures that Abitur exams comply with prescribed standards. Its responsibilities include distributing essential information to schools, holding preparatory meetings with school administrators, and providing support and decisions in the event of incidents during exams. The regional government also rules on accommodations for students with disadvantages and reviews appeals against exam decisions.
2026 Abitur by the Numbers
Cluster High Schools (Bündelungsgymnasien)
The following cluster high schools in the Münster administrative region were selected based on regional principles:
- St. Georg Gymnasium, Bocholt
- Heinrich Heine Gymnasium, Bottrop
- Clemens-Brentano-Gymnasium, Dülmen
- Ricarda-Huch-Gymnasium, Gelsenkirchen
- Johann-Conrad-Schlaun-Gymnasium, Münster
- Freiherr-vom-Stein-Gymnasium, Recklinghausen
- Johannes-Kepler-Gymnasium, Ibbenbüren
- Emsland-Gymnasium, Rheine
- Gymnasium Laurentianum, Warendorf
- Städtisches Gymnasium Ahlen
G9 Pilot Schools: 1. Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium, Münster 2. Gymnasium Petrinum, Dorsten 3. Schalker Gymnasium, Gelsenkirchen
Number of 2026 Abitur Candidates in the Region
Here is an overview of the number of students taking the Abitur in 2026 at public schools in the Münster administrative region:
Münster Government Region - Gymnasium: 621 - Comprehensive schools (Gesamtschulen): 2,324 - Vocational colleges (Berufskollegs): 1,919 - Total: 4,864
Borken District - Gymnasium: 17 - Comprehensive schools: 398 - Vocational colleges: 327 - Total: 742
Coesfeld District - Gymnasium: 11 - Comprehensive schools: 202 - Vocational colleges: 150 - Total: 363
Steinfurt District - Gymnasium: 83 - Comprehensive schools: 351 - Vocational colleges: 565 - Total: 999
Warendorf District - Gymnasium: 45 - Comprehensive schools: 246 - Vocational colleges: 121 - Total: 412
City of Münster - Gymnasium: 131 - Comprehensive schools: 149 - Vocational colleges: 254 - Total: 534
Recklinghausen District - Gymnasium: 206 - Comprehensive schools: 445 - Vocational colleges: 391 - Total: 1,042
Gelsenkirchen - Gymnasium: 88 - Comprehensive schools: 427 - Vocational colleges: 47 - Total: 562
Bottrop - Gymnasium: 40 - Comprehensive schools: 106 - Vocational colleges: 64 - Total: 210
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