The Musterung is the appointment at which the Bundeswehr medically assesses, tests and assigns young men. According to the Bundeswehr page on the procedure, it includes a medical assessment, a computer test with an interview and assignment. This guide follows the order of that page and names what the page leaves open.
Short answer: According to the Bundeswehr page, the examination usually takes place within one day. It includes a medical assessment, a computer test called CAT with a personal interview, and assignment. The result is communicated at the end of the examination day. The page names no list of items to bring. Page status: 10 Mar 2026. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- According to the Bundeswehr, the obligation to attend applies to male conscripts born in 2008 and later.
- The procedure usually takes one day according to the page. It gives no hours.
- Sequence: medical assessment, computer test with interview, assignment, security check.
- The sports test applies only to officer career paths and takes place in Cologne.
- The page names neither a list of items to bring nor a concrete examination location for men. The invitation is therefore the authoritative source.
The procedure on the examination day
The page describes the steps in this order. The exact sequence on the day may differ depending on the invitation and the location, but the steps themselves remain the same.
- Medical assessment: according to the page, it checks hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, resilience, the back and the joints.
- CAT test: a computer test checks logic, reaction ability, spatial imagination and self-assessment.
- Personal interview: a conversation follows the test.
- Assignment: aptitude, competences and preferences are matched against the vacant posts.
- Security check: it is initiated after assignment.
- Result and counselling: at the end of the examination day, the result is communicated and an advisory conversation takes place.
The medical assessment and the test are the parts that raise most questions. The page describes them only in brief. If you have a pre-existing condition that might be relevant to the assessment, clarify it in advance with the competent authority rather than raising it on the day.
How long does the examination take?
The page says the procedure is “usually completed within one day”. It gives no hours. Plan for the whole day and clarify from the invitation when you should arrive. For a long journey, the page states that accommodation is available.
| Part | What the page names | Duration according to the page |
|---|---|---|
| Medical assessment | Hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, resilience, back and joints | Not stated separately |
| CAT test with interview | Logic, reaction ability, spatial imagination, self-assessment | Not stated separately |
| Whole procedure | Examination day with result and counselling | Usually within one day |
What do I have to bring?
The Bundeswehr page on the examination names no list of items to bring. Do not rely on hearsay or older reports. The invitation is the most binding source you have. Check it for details on documents, time and place. If something is missing or unclear, ask the body that invited you and keep the answer in writing.
Plan your journey so that you arrive on time. A missed appointment is an avoidable risk that a little preparation can prevent.
Where does the examination take place?
The page names no concrete examination location for men. It mentions that regional examination centres are being set up. You will therefore find the location in the invitation rather than in this overview. If the journey is long for you, clarify early whether you need accommodation, because the page refers to available accommodation for long journeys.
Sports test and assessment: who is affected?
According to the page, a sports test exists only for officer career paths, and it takes place in Cologne. It includes a shuttle run, a pull-up hang and a 3,000-metre bicycle ergometer test. For most participants this part therefore does not apply.
According to the page, an interview with an assessment commission is optional and provided from two years of service onwards. It therefore does not concern the examination day itself.
What to do before the examination
The page names no list of items to bring, but you can clarify several things in advance without making assumptions. Check whether the invitation states a time, an address and a contact point. You can also clarify whether you may bring someone with you, if you wish. The inviting body answers such questions most reliably.
If you have health issues that could affect the medical assessment, note them in brief beforehand. This way you will not forget anything on the day, and you can answer questions factually. The assessment checks the areas named on the page, not your entire medical history.
Also think about sleep and the journey on the day before. A computer test and an interview that follows require concentration, and an early appointment is harder to manage on little sleep.
What happens after the examination day?
According to the page, the result is communicated at the end of the day, followed by an advisory conversation. Whether you are assigned afterwards depends, according to the page, on your aptitude, competences and preferences when matched against the vacant posts. The page describes that matching but promises no particular post.
The security check is initiated after assignment. Keep all documents you receive on the examination day and note the names and dates of any conversations. Later letters are easier to follow with such a record.
Frequently asked questions
Is the examination the same as the questionnaire?
No. The questionnaire is the response, the examination is the appointment. The obligation to return the questionnaire is described in Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18.
When do I get the result?
According to the page, the result is communicated at the end of the examination day. An advisory conversation follows. The page names no later notification.
Is there a sports test for all men?
No. According to the page, the sports test is provided only for officer career paths and takes place in Cologne.
What happens after assignment?
After assignment, the security check is initiated. The page describes no further steps. If you want more detail, ask the competent authority in writing.
What if I receive an examination notice?
Then review the letter calmly and note the deadlines. The steps are explained in Musterungsbescheid erhalten: Was jetzt zu tun ist.
What to do now
- Check the invitation for date, time and location and note them at once.
- Clarify open questions about documents or the journey in writing with the inviting body.
- Plan the whole day and make sure you arrive on time.
- On the examination day, keep a written record of the result and the counselling if you take one.
Related articles
- Musterung from birth cohort 2008: who has to attend
- Military service 2026: the questionnaire is mandatory for men aged 18
- Military service questionnaire: deadline, reminder and what follows
- Deferral from military service because of studies
- Military service and studies 2026: overview
Sources: Bundeswehr: Assessment and medical examination (page status: 10 Mar 2026, in German), Bundeswehr: Questionnaire on the new military service (page status: 19 Dec 2025, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
