A study plan for the state exam helps you align your preparation with a fixed examination date instead of letting the syllabus set the pace. The plan has to reflect the examination structure first: which components count, how heavily they are weighted, and when the written and oral parts take place. This guide shows how to build such a plan, using figures from the German Judiciary Act (Deutsches Richtergesetz, DRiG) and a worked example you can adapt to your own situation.
Short answer: A study plan for the state exam starts from the examination date and works backwards through your modules. Under section 5d DRiG, the state compulsory-subject examination counts for 70 percent and the university focus-area examination for 30 percent of the overall mark of the First Examination. Plan study time for both blocks, fixed buffer weeks and one repetition round. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points
- Plan backwards from the examination date, not forwards from the syllabus.
- Under section 5d subsection 2 DRiG, the overall mark of the First Examination combines 70 percent compulsory subjects and 30 percent focus area.
- For the Second State Examination, section 5d subsection 3 DRiG sets a time window: written performances fall between the 18th and 21st month of training.
- Set fixed buffer weeks for illness, revision and repetitions before you fill the modules.
- The details are governed by state law, and the examination office in your state gives binding information.
How do you build a study plan for the state exam?
A plan stands or falls with its starting point. If you begin with the first legal field, you quickly lose the overview, because every topic seems equally urgent. It is better to fix the end point first: the examination date, the registration deadline and the period in which you can realistically study. Only then do you distribute topics across the available weeks.
- Ask the responsible examination office for the examination date and the registration deadline, and enter both in your calendar.
- Write down the structure: compulsory subjects, focus area, oral components and, where applicable, a home assignment.
- Divide the material into modules, for example by legal field or by type of exam question.
- Set a weekly budget and keep it realistic: four concentrated hours a day work better than eight interrupted ones.
- Schedule buffer weeks before you fill the modules.
How is the First Examination weighted?
The weighting shows where your study time should go. Under section 5d subsection 2 DRiG, the result of the passed state compulsory-subject examination counts for 70 percent of the overall mark, and the result of the passed university focus-area examination for 30 percent. The statute therefore fixes the weights, while the detailed design of the examinations remains a matter for state law.
| Component | Weight under section 5d DRiG | Responsible body |
|---|---|---|
| State compulsory-subject examination | 70 percent | State examination office of the Land |
| University focus-area examination | 30 percent | University |
The weighting does not mean you can neglect the focus area. It helps you distribute your effort sensibly. Assumption: you plan 200 study hours for the compulsory subjects and 80 hours for the focus area. The focus area would then receive just under 29 percent of your study time, close to its 30 percent weight. Whether this split suits you depends on prior knowledge and the examination format.
When does the written part of the Second State Examination begin?
For the Second State Examination, section 5d subsection 3 DRiG sets a clear time frame. The written performances fall between the 18th and 21st month of training. In part-time training, the period shifts accordingly, and the written performances must relate at least to the compulsory placements. The oral performances, by contrast, cover the entire training period. For your plan, this means the written preparation belongs in exactly this window, while oral preparation runs continuously.
| Phase | What to plan | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Months 18 to 21 of training | Written performances, practice papers, revision of compulsory placements | Section 5d subs. 3 DRiG |
| Entire training period | Oral preparation and continuous revision | Section 5d subs. 3 DRiG |
How many hours should you plan for?
There is no fixed number, because prior knowledge, paid work and the examination format vary widely. A worked example still helps you grasp the order of magnitude. Assumption: you start 16 weeks before the date, study on 5 days a week and work 4 concentrated hours per study day. That gives 320 hours. If you subtract two buffer weeks (40 hours), 280 hours remain. Split by the 70 to 30 weighting, that is roughly 196 hours for the compulsory subjects and roughly 84 hours for the focus area.
How do you plan for setbacks and repetitions?
A plan without reserves collapses at the first disruption. Schedule a repetition round in which you write old papers under time pressure and close gaps. If examination performances have to be repeated, different deadlines apply. Clarify them with the examination office in advance. An overview of attempts and procedures is available in our guide to the free attempt in the state exam and in the article on repeating the state exam.
Which planning mistakes occur most often?
In practice, plans rarely fail because of the volume of material. More often the structure is at fault. Four mistakes recur:
- The plan starts without an examination date or registration deadline, so the finish line stays unclear.
- Every module receives the same amount of time, although the 70 to 30 weighting suggests otherwise.
- No buffer weeks exist, so a single sick day shifts the whole plan.
- There is no practice-paper phase, so knowledge exists but cannot be retrieved under time pressure.
How does the plan fit with a part-time job or part-time training?
If you work alongside your studies or clerkship, plan with fixed blocks rather than loose hours. Set the study time for the week in advance and enter working hours into the calendar first. In part-time training, the period for written performances shifts according to section 5d subsection 3 DRiG, so the plan should follow your personal training path rather than rigid month counts. A conversation with the examination office clarifies which deadlines apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start the study plan?
Early enough that you can rebuild the plan twice. As a rough orientation, several months are sensible, depending on how much material you already know. The registration deadline with the examination office sets the firm frame, even if you start earlier.
Is a rough weekly plan enough?
For most candidates it is not. A rough weekly plan distributes modules but not days. A combination of a monthly overview and a weekly plan with fixed study units that you tick off works better. It shows early when you fall behind.
What should I do when a module takes longer than planned?
Move it into the buffer period rather than into the final sprint. A module that needs two extra weeks only disrupts the plan if no reserve was scheduled. Note the shift and adjust the following weeks, instead of simply cutting study time.
Where can I find the rules for my federal state?
State law governs the details. The judicial training acts and examination regulations of your state, together with the pages of the responsible state examination office, are the right starting points. If something is unclear, the examination office’s information is decisive.
What to do now
- Find the examination date, the registration deadline and the examination regulation of your state.
- Record the weighting and the examination formats in one overview.
- Cut the material into modules, set a weekly budget and schedule buffer weeks.
- Review the plan after two weeks and adjust the reserves if needed.
Related articles
- State exam and clerkship overview: reforms, deadlines and rules
- Digital paper in the First State Examination
- Free attempt in the state exam
- Repeating the state exam
- Trainee pay 2027
Sources: Section 5d German Judiciary Act (DRiG), text as published on lxgesetze.de, retrieved November 2026
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
