School entry examination; participation

The aim of the school entry examination is to identify a child's health or developmental limitations relevant to school at an early stage. In this way, the school entry examination differs significantly from the early detection examinations (U8 and U9) at the pediatrician or family doctor, where the main focus is on detecting acute and chronic illnesses that require treatment.

As an independent advice center, the health department's school entry examination offers parents and guardians an additional opportunity to address questions about their child's health and school readiness. The staff at the public health department take the time to provide detailed advice and can use their interdisciplinary network to make specific recommendations and provide information. In addition, the school entry examination can be a valuable additional decision-making aid for parents/guardians when it comes to deciding when their child should start school. However, the final decision on school admission is the responsibility of the school.

The current model for the school entrance examination has been in place for over 20 years. In recent years, further important insights into child development during the critical age range of 4 to 6 years have emerged. Consequently, the existing school entrance examination urgently required a revision and reform. As part of this process, new assessment methods and modern testing materials are being used with the goal of providing children with early intervention when needed, thereby ensuring that all children receive the support they need for a successful start to school and to navigate their daily school life with confidence.

The new so-called “reformed school entry examination” has been and is being phased in at all public health departments in Bavaria, so that as of August 2027, all public health departments will be conducting the new and modernized school entry examination.

You can find information about the school entry examination at your local health authority and further information about the school entry examination under "Further links".

Under the further links you will find our topic page "Everything about the introduction of the reformed school entry examination (rSEU)". This page offers a comprehensive overview of all relevant information, contains further links and provides the medical history forms in various languages for download.

You will also find the "Flyer on the Revised School Entry Examination" here, as well as a link to our Health page.

All school-age children are automatically invited by the public health department to an initial school check-up within a time corridor of two years before they are due to start school. Children required to attend school are all children who turn six years old between October 1 and September 30. Children who are to be deferred or who belong to the so-called corridor children must also be examined in the two years before the regular start of school.

• Medical history form

  Printable form.

• Art. 12 Act on the Public Health Service (Health Service Act - GDG)
• Art. 80 Bavarian Law on Education and Teaching (BayEUG)
• Ordinance on School Health Care (Schulgesundheitspflegeverordnung - SchulgespflV)

• Brochure "The school entrance examination"
• The school entry examination in Bavaria
• Flyer Reformed School Entrance Examination (rSEU) (PDF)
• Health - Topic Page

  Well-Informed Whether it's health care, counseling, or prevention—here you'll find additional information, helpful links, and the latest articles and resources on a variety of topics.

• Reformed School Entry Examination (rSEU) - Topic Page

  Everything you need to know about the introduction of the revised school entry examination (rSEU) — a resource page on the launch of the new rSEU. FAQs and medical history forms in other languages.

The parents/guardians receive an invitation from the public health department to attend the school entrance examination. The examination itself takes place - depending on the district - in the public health department or other suitable premises. The presence of a parent or guardian is reassuring for the child, questions can be clarified directly and observations/results of the examination can be discussed immediately.

The school entrance examination

Participation in the school entrance physical and, if applicable, the school medical examination is mandatory, and failure to attend will be followed up on.

It is important to bring the completed medical history form, the yellow child examination booklet with the certificate of completion of the last age-appropriate early detection examination (U8 or U9 examination) and the child's vaccination record.

• Children in secondary and special schools; investigation