FAQs - Exam Cancellation (withdrawal)
on topics such as formalities, request forms and deadlines, in the event of illness, etc.
The following information is of a general nature and does not replace students' obligations to cooperate, such as reading the relevant examination and study regulations.
Why can I independently cancel my participation in some exams during the registration phase, but not in others?
In principle, any student can cancel their participation in an examination for which they have registered within the 5-week registration period without giving reasons (withdrawal). You can cancel your participation online via the self-service portal - similar to the examination registration phase. After this, it is no longer possible for you to independently cancel your participation. If this is the case, you must request a withdrawal from the examination immediately, stating and substantiating reasons if necessary.
How can I withdraw from an exam?
As a general rule, you must notify the Central Examination Office immediately, i.e. without undue delay, in writing with signature and provide plausible evidence of the reasons for withdrawal. To do this, submit a signed request for withdrawal in writing in no specific form to the Central Examination Office, attaching any relevant proof.
What do I do if I fall ill on the day of the exam? Do I have to see a doctor? Will fees be refunded?
If you are unable to take an exam due to illness, you must immediately, i.e. without undue delay, submit a doctor's certificate to the Central Examination Office.
A certificate of incapacity for work (that is usually yellow) does not fulfil the requirements. It is not the doctor who decides whether you are fit to take the examination or not, but the examination authority. For this reason, you are obliged to disclose your symptoms and, if necessary, to release the doctor treating you from their duty of confidentiality. This does not mean that the doctor must disclose the diagnosis as such, but only the physical or psychological effects caused by the illness. Please use the proof of illness form (doctor's certificate) for this purpose.
An official medical certificate only needs to be submitted if you withdraw from the same exam again due to illness or if it is the last attempt at an examination. The fees for the medical officer will not be reimbursed, as the candidate is obliged to submit a medical certificate.
What is the 10-day deadline all about?
Cancellations of written and oral examinations can be made up to 10 days before the examination date without having to provide reasons.
Please note: There must be at least 10 calendar days between the time the request is submitted and the examination date. The day of the exam does not count as one of these days. The following also applies: if the 10-day deadline ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline is shortened to the preceding working day. So if, for example, the deadline ends on Saturday, the request would have to be submitted by Friday at the latest.
I was ill on the day of the exam. Can I withdraw from the exam after it was held?
This depends on the degree of immediacy. Before taking an exam, you will be asked by the examiners or invigilators whether you feel fit to take the exam. If your answer to this question is “no” or you are not asked but do not feel fit to take the examination, you must proceed immediately as described in question 4. If you take the exam and then wait to see which marks you have been awarded, you can no longer withdraw.
I am registered for the resit of an examination, but the class is not offered in the semester. What can I do if I would like to attend the class again in preparation of the exam?
Examination resits should be taken at the latest in the semester in which they are offered again. It is therefore not necessary to attend the corresponding classes. You must also register independently for examination resits. This means that if you want to repeat a class that is only offered at a later date, you must also register for the exam at a later date.
Are my examination registrations invalid if I drop out of studies during the current semester?
No. If you deregister during the current semester, it only terminates the legal relationship between you as a student and the University. The legal relationship concerning examinations remains valid until the end of the respective semester, i.e. all registered exams must still be taken. Otherwise, you would have to explicitly request a withdrawal from the registered exams.
Does withdrawing from an exam affect my BAföG?
There are certain performance limits for a positive BAföG grant. It is therefore clearly defined by when a certain number of credits must be achieved. If you withdraw from an exam, you may not fulfil the requirements. However, there are also special circumstances, such as withdrawing from an exam due to illness. You should therefore clarify this with Student Services as early as possible.