The written IHK exam is over – and the result isn't enough. Now it's time for the oral supplementary exam: your chance to save your result. For many, this is the most stressful moment of the entire apprenticeship, because everything depends on these 15 minutes.
In this article, you will learn when you are entitled to an oral supplementary exam, how it works, what questions are asked, and how to prepare specifically. If you have not passed your IHK exam overall, you will find a comprehensive guide to all options there.
Point limits, weighting, and procedures for the oral supplementary exam may vary depending on the responsible IHK and the training occupation. The examination regulations of your IHK are always decisive – in case of doubt, inquire there or with the examination board.
The most important in brief
- An oral supplementary exam is offered if you have between 30 and 49 points in a written examination area
- The exam lasts approx. 15 minutes and is conducted as an individual interview with the examination board
- The oral result is weighted 2:1 (written to oral)
- You must achieve at least 50 points in the weighted result to pass
- The process follows fixed steps: invitation, brief interview, board consultation, result usually on the same day
- There are discreet aids that can specifically support you in oral examination situations
Table of Contents
What is an oral supplementary exam at the IHK?
The oral supplementary exam IHK is a last resort if you have not achieved enough points in a written examination subject. Instead of retaking the entire exam, you can improve your result through an oral examination interview.
Important: Not everyone automatically has the right to it. The oral re-examination is only offered if you have achieved between 30 and 49 points in an examination area – i.e., just below the passing threshold. Below 30 points, a supplementary exam is not possible.
You are entitled to an oral supplementary exam if you have between 30 and 49 points in a maximum of one written examination area and have achieved at least 50 points in the other areas. For certified specialist exams, different regulations may apply – check your specific examination regulations.
How does the oral supplementary exam work?
The procedure for the oral supplementary exam is similar at most IHKs, although details may vary depending on the chamber and training occupation. Knowing what to expect makes you calmer for the exam.
1. Invitation: After your written result is announced, you usually receive a written invitation with the date, location, and time within a few days – the lead time is often only a few days to a maximum of two weeks.
2. Arrival and waiting time: On the day of the exam, you register on-site and wait until you are called. Some IHKs allow a short preparation time – but this is not standard everywhere, and it's worth checking the invitation in advance.
3. The examination interview: You usually sit opposite two to three members of the examination board. The interview lasts around 15 minutes and focuses exclusively on the examination area in which you failed the written exam.
4. Consultation and result: The board briefly withdraws, consults on the score, and combines it with your written result. You often receive your result on the same day or a few days later.
Oral supplementary exam IHK – points and weighting
The calculation of points in the oral supplementary exam is crucial: the result is weighted 2:1. Your written result counts twice, the oral result once.
Example calculation: You achieved 40 points in the written exam. In the oral supplementary exam, you get 70 points. The calculation: (40 × 2 + 70 × 1) ÷ 3 = 50 points. Passed – just barely.
This means: the worse your written result, the more you have to deliver orally.
How many oral points you need depending on your written result
| Written Result | Points Needed Orally (for 50 weighted) |
|---|---|
| 30 points | 90 points |
| 35 points | 80 points |
| 40 points | 70 points |
| 45 points | 60 points |
| 49 points | 52 points |
With 30 points written, you need at least 90 points orally – quite a challenge. With 45 points written, 60 points orally are enough. Calculate your personal minimum beforehand; this gives your preparation a clear goal.
The IHK point-grade scale at a glance
| Points | Grade |
|---|---|
| 100–92 | Very Good |
| 91–81 | Good |
| 80–67 | Satisfactory |
| 66–50 | Sufficient |
| 49–30 | Deficient |
| 29–0 | Insufficient |
30 to 49 points correspond to the grade "Deficient" – precisely this range entitles you to an oral supplementary exam. For "Insufficient," a rescue via the oral exam is no longer possible.
You must achieve at least 50 points in the weighted result to pass the examination area.
What questions are asked in the oral supplementary exam?
The questions in the oral supplementary exam refer to the same examination area in which you failed the written exam – no new topics are added.
Typically, the examination board asks open questions that you must explain and justify. Unlike in written exams, there are no multiple-choice answers – you must formulate freely.
In commercial exams (industrial clerk, office management assistant), case studies are often involved: A scenario is described, and you must explain how you would proceed. Examiners look for factual correctness and argumentation skills.
In technical exams (industrial foreman, certified specialist), calculations and technical relationships often come up – it is important that you not only know formulas but also can explain why you apply them.
Example topics by specialization
Depending on the chamber and training occupation, certain types of topics are empirically more common:
- Commercial professions: Complaint discussions, calculation tasks, legal basics such as sales contract law or warranty
- Industrial-technical professions: Calculations for material requirements or working time, explanation of standards and safety regulations
- IT professions: Explanation of processes, network fundamentals, or procedures in typical support scenarios
- Nursing and health professions: Case studies on care processes as well as legal and ethical questions
The examination board refers to the framework curriculum of your apprenticeship – the questions remain within what you should have learned during your training.
Preparation for the oral supplementary exam – how to proceed
You usually only have a few days between the announcement of results and the oral exam. Therefore, preparation must be efficient.
Address weaknesses specifically
Look closely at your written exam: Which tasks did you answer incorrectly? These are precisely the topics that will likely be asked orally. Concentrate on the gaps, not on what you already know.
Explain aloud instead of reading
In an oral exam, you have to vocalize knowledge – which is different from reading it silently. Take the core topics and explain them aloud, as if you were teaching them to someone. This helps in any oral examination situation – you can find more strategies in our growing guide section on oral exams.
Practice calculation tasks
If your examination area includes accounting, business administration, or technical calculations: Practice the types of tasks you botched in the written exam until you master them. The examiners will specifically probe there.
Discreet aids for oral exams
Oral exams have a crucial difference from written ones: you cannot hide a cheat sheet. However, there are technical solutions specifically developed for this situation.
Invisible headphones are so small that they are undetectable in the ear. A trusted person – who has gone through the material with you beforehand – listens to the exam questions via a mini-camera or an open call and can help you in real-time. Especially in a supplementary exam, where everything depends on 15 minutes, this can make all the difference.
15 minutes that decide everything
For emergencies, there is discreet support specially developed for oral exams
Learn moreConclusion: The supplementary exam is your chance
- Oral supplementary exam offered for 30-49 points written
- The process is clearly structured: invitation, approx. 15-minute interview, consultation, result usually on the same day
- Weighting 2:1 (written:oral) – calculate what you need beforehand
- Questions relate to the same examination area as the written exam
- Preparation: Specifically revise weaknesses from the written exam
- Practice explaining aloud – formulating orally is different from writing
- There are discreet technical aids specifically for oral examination situations
An oral supplementary exam sounds intimidating – but in reality, it's a real opportunity. 15 minutes in which you can show what you're capable of. Those who prepare specifically and know what to expect have good chances. And those who want additional security now have possibilities that did not exist a few years ago.
"It's not whether you fall down that matters – it's whether you get back up."
