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Key Facts: Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics Exam

135 min

Total Bearbeitungszeit for the ESA Mathematik written exam, across Heft 1 and Heft 2

Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 6.8

45 min max

Maximum time allowed for the calculator-free Heft 1 (Kurzformaufgaben)

Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 10.2

20 min

Einlesezeit for Heft 2 at ESA level (30 minutes at MSA level) before the working time begins

Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 10.2

08.05.2026

Written ESA Mathematik exam date in the 2026 main session; Nachschreibtermin 22.05.2026

Erlass des MBWFK vom 14. November 2025 - III 334

1-6 Noten

Grading scale, whole grades only, from 1 (sehr gut) to 6 (ungenügend)

Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 7.2

2:1 ratio

Vornote-to-Prüfungsnote weighting used to form the Mathematik Endnote

Section 17, Landesverordnung über Gemeinschaftsschulen (GemVO)

Free 100-question English-language MCQ study bank for the Schleswig-Holstein ESA (Erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss) Mathematik exam, mapped to Grundrechenarten (~15%), Prozent-/Zinsrechnung (~22%), Gleichungen/Terme (~20%), Flächen-/Körperberechnung and Satz des Pythagoras (~25%), and Daten/Zufall (~18%) per the Fachanforderungen Mathematik and the Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26. Official exam: German written paper, 135 min total (max 45 min calculator-free Heft 1, remainder in Heft 2 with Formelsammlung and calculator), written date 08.05.2026 (Nachschreibtermin 22.05.2026). This is a lower-secondary (Jahrgangsstufe 9) level, distinct from and less advanced than the MSA or Abitur — no quadratics, trigonometry or calculus. Not an official-format simulation; no fee for regular school candidates.

Sample Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is 3/4 + 1/6?
A.11/12
B.5/12
C.2/5
D.13/12
Explanation: Convert both fractions to twelfths: 3/4 = 9/12 and 1/6 = 2/12. Adding the numerators gives 9/12 + 2/12 = 11/12, which is already in lowest terms.
2What is 0.6 x 0.5?
A.0.3
B.1.1
C.3.0
D.0.03
Explanation: Multiply as whole numbers first: 6 x 5 = 30. Since 0.6 and 0.5 together have two digits after the decimal point, move the decimal point two places to the left in 30 to get 0.30, which equals 0.3.
3What is 12 - 2 x 3 + 4?
A.10
B.34
C.2
D.-2
Explanation: Order of operations requires multiplication before addition or subtraction: compute 2 x 3 = 6 first. Then work left to right through the remaining addition and subtraction: 12 - 6 + 4 = 10.
4What is (-8) + 5 - (-3)?
A.0
B.-6
C.-16
D.6
Explanation: Adding 5 to -8 gives -3. Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive value, so -3 - (-3) = -3 + 3 = 0.
5Round 47.386 to two decimal places (the hundredths place).
A.47.39
B.47.38
C.47.4
D.47.29
Explanation: The hundredths digit is 8, and the digit right after it (the thousandths place) is 6, which rounds up. So 47.386 rounds to 47.39 when kept to two decimal places.
6What is the reciprocal of the fraction 4/7?
A.7/4
B.4/7
C.-4/7
D.1
Explanation: The reciprocal of a fraction is found by swapping its numerator and denominator. Swapping 4 and 7 in 4/7 gives 7/4.
7Use the distributive property to compute 6 x 13 by splitting 13 into 10 + 3. What is 6 x 10 + 6 x 3?
A.78
B.60
C.63
D.84
Explanation: Splitting 13 into 10 + 3 and distributing the 6 gives 6 x 10 + 6 x 3 = 60 + 18 = 78, the same result as multiplying 6 x 13 directly.
8What is 5/8 - 1/4?
A.3/8
B.1/2
C.1/8
D.1
Explanation: Convert 1/4 to eighths: 1/4 = 2/8. Then subtract the numerators over the common denominator: 5/8 - 2/8 = 3/8.
9What is 2 1/3 x 3/4?
A.1 3/4
B.1 1/2
C.2 1/4
D.7/12
Explanation: Convert the mixed number: 2 1/3 = 7/3. Multiplying 7/3 x 3/4 = 21/12, which simplifies to 7/4, or 1 3/4.
10What is (-15) / 3 + (-2)?
A.-7
B.-5
C.7
D.-17
Explanation: Divide first: -15 / 3 = -5. Then add -2: -5 + (-2) = -7.

About the Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics Exam

The Schleswig-Holstein Erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss (ESA) Mathematik exam is the state's central Jahrgangsstufe-9 mathematics assessment, administered by the MBWFK under the Landesverordnung über Gemeinschaftsschulen (GemVO) and the annual Durchführungsbestimmungen. It is a lower-secondary qualification level, sat earlier and at lower depth than the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA, Jahrgangsstufe 10) or the gymnasiale-Oberstufe Abitur, and its content follows the Fachanforderungen Mathematik for Sekundarstufe I: basic arithmetic with fractions, decimals and negative numbers; percentage and simple-interest calculations; elementary algebra (linear equations and terms); basic geometry including area, volume and the Pythagorean theorem; and elementary statistics and probability — rather than the quadratic functions, trigonometry and calculus expected at MSA level and above. The official written exam is split into a calculator-free Heft 1 of short-form Pflichtaufgaben (maximum 45 minutes) and a Heft 2 of Komplexaufgaben worked with the ministry's Formelsammlung and a non-graphing calculator. This free bank of 100 original multiple-choice questions is an English-language study adaptation covering the same arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data-handling skills, with fully worked calculations, designed to build and check that ESA-level computational fluency. It is not a simulation of the official exam, which is answered with full German-language written working rather than selected options.

Exam sponsor: Ministerium für Allgemeine und Berufliche Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur (MBWFK), Schleswig-Holstein, with task development by Fachkommissionen coordinated through the Institut für Qualitätsentwicklung an Schulen Schleswig-Holstein (IQSH). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official written Erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss (ESA) examination in Mathematik, set centrally by the MBWFK for Jahrgangsstufe 9 alongside Deutsch and Englisch (1. Fremdsprache). Heft 1 (Teil 1) is worked hilfsmittelfrei (no calculator) within a maximum of 45 minutes and contains only short-form Pflichtaufgaben. After Heft 1 is handed in, candidates receive the official Formelsammlung and work through Heft 2 (Teil 2): two Komplexaufgaben, each with a compulsory Pflichtteil and an optional Wahlteil, of which at least one (across the two tasks) must be completed; if both Wahlteile are attempted, the higher-scoring one is scored. Permitted aids for Heft 2 are the ministry-issued Formelsammlung, a Geo-Dreieck and drawing tools (a parabola template is explicitly excluded), a compass, and a non-graphing calculator or an approved non-programmable digital alternative. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation only — it does not reproduce the German-language constructed-response format.

Time Limit

135 minutes Bearbeitungszeit total, of which a maximum of 45 minutes is reserved for the calculator-free Heft 1; the rest is used for Heft 2. A 20-minute Einlesezeit for Heft 2 precedes the start of the working time (Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 6.8 and Ziffer 10.2). In the 2026 main session the written ESA Mathematik exam is set for Friday, 8 May 2026, with a Nachschreibtermin on Friday, 22 May 2026 (Erlass des MBWFK vom 14. November 2025 - III 334).

Passing Score

Mathematik is graded on the 1-6 Notenskala (1 = sehr gut, 6 = ungenügend), whole grades only, with no plus/minus tendencies (Durchführungsbestimmungen 2025/26, Ziffer 7.2). Per Section 17 of the GemVO, the written Prüfungsnote combines with the teacher-assigned Vornote in a 2:1 ratio to form the subject Endnote (1:1 if a voluntary oral exam is also taken). The ESA itself is awarded under the GemVO when, across all subjects at the ESA-Anforderungsebene, no Endnote is 'ungenügend' (6) and at most one is 'mangelhaft' (5), with every other subject 'ausreichend' (4) or better.

Exam / Certification Fees

No exam fee for regularly enrolled school candidates; the ESA is a compulsory-education school examination administered by the MBWFK. Nichtschüler-/Externenprüfungen follow separate state-administered arrangements, and no Mathematik-specific external fee is published in the sources reviewed.

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Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Study emphasis ~15%

Grundrechenarten

Fractions, decimals, negative numbers, order of operations, powers and roots, and rounding.

Study emphasis ~22%

Prozent- und Zinsrechnung

Percentage of a quantity, percentage increase/decrease, reversing a percentage change, simple interest, and Dreisatz.

Study emphasis ~20%

Gleichungen und Terme

One-variable linear equations, simplifying and evaluating terms, word-problem translation, and simple value tables.

Study emphasis ~25%

Flächen- und Körperberechnung, Satz des Pythagoras

Area and perimeter of common shapes, volume and surface area of cuboids and cubes, the Pythagorean theorem, angle facts, and scale problems.

Study emphasis ~18%

Daten und Zufall

Mean, median and range, reading charts and frequency tables, relative frequency, and basic probability.

Preparing for the Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Mathematik is graded on the 1-6 Notenskala (1 = sehr gut, 6 = ungenügend), whole grades only, with no plus/minus tendencies (Durchführungsbestimmungen 2025/26, Ziffer 7.2). Per Section 17 of the GemVO, the written Prüfungsnote combines with the teacher-assigned Vornote in a 2:1 ratio to form the subject Endnote (1:1 if a voluntary oral exam is also taken). The ESA itself is awarded under the GemVO when, across all subjects at the ESA-Anforderungsebene, no Endnote is 'ungenügend' (6) and at most one is 'mangelhaft' (5), with every other subject 'ausreichend' (4) or better.
  • Assessment: Official written Erster allgemeinbildender Schulabschluss (ESA) examination in Mathematik, set centrally by the MBWFK for Jahrgangsstufe 9 alongside Deutsch and Englisch (1. Fremdsprache). Heft 1 (Teil 1) is worked hilfsmittelfrei (no calculator) within a maximum of 45 minutes and contains only short-form Pflichtaufgaben. After Heft 1 is handed in, candidates receive the official Formelsammlung and work through Heft 2 (Teil 2): two Komplexaufgaben, each with a compulsory Pflichtteil and an optional Wahlteil, of which at least one (across the two tasks) must be completed; if both Wahlteile are attempted, the higher-scoring one is scored. Permitted aids for Heft 2 are the ministry-issued Formelsammlung, a Geo-Dreieck and drawing tools (a parabola template is explicitly excluded), a compass, and a non-graphing calculator or an approved non-programmable digital alternative. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation only — it does not reproduce the German-language constructed-response format.
  • Time limit: 135 minutes Bearbeitungszeit total, of which a maximum of 45 minutes is reserved for the calculator-free Heft 1; the rest is used for Heft 2. A 20-minute Einlesezeit for Heft 2 precedes the start of the working time (Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA 2025/26, Ziffer 6.8 and Ziffer 10.2). In the 2026 main session the written ESA Mathematik exam is set for Friday, 8 May 2026, with a Nachschreibtermin on Friday, 22 May 2026 (Erlass des MBWFK vom 14. November 2025 - III 334).
  • Exam / certification fees: No exam fee for regularly enrolled school candidates; the ESA is a compulsory-education school examination administered by the MBWFK. Nichtschüler-/Externenprüfungen follow separate state-administered arrangements, and no Mathematik-specific external fee is published in the sources reviewed. Official sources

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Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill percentage and simple-interest calculations both ways (finding a part, and reversing a change to find the original value) since Prozent- und Zinsrechnung is one of the largest single content areas on the paper.
2Practise Dreisatz (proportional-reasoning) alongside the percentage formula for the same problems — the official grading treats both methods as equally valid, so use whichever is faster for you under time pressure.
3Memorise the area formulas for rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids and circles, and the volume/surface-area formulas for cuboids and cubes, since Flächen- und Körperberechnung is the single largest content area.
4Practise the Pythagorean theorem in both directions — finding the hypotenuse from two legs, and finding a missing leg from the hypotenuse and one leg — including word problems like ladders and diagonals.
5Rehearse short-form arithmetic and percentage problems without a calculator, since Heft 1 must be completed hilfsmittelfrei within 45 minutes before the Formelsammlung and calculator become available for Heft 2.
6Practise reading data from simple tables and charts and computing mean, median and basic probability, since Daten und Zufall problems often combine a reading step with a calculation step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the official Schleswig-Holstein ESA Mathematik exam multiple-choice?

No. The official written paper has a calculator-free Heft 1 of short-form Pflichtaufgaben and a Heft 2 of Komplexaufgaben worked with a Formelsammlung and a non-graphing calculator, all answered with full written working. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for learning and checking the underlying calculations, not a simulation of the official format.

What does the ESA Mathematik exam actually cover?

Per the Durchführungsbestimmungen ESA/MSA and the Fachanforderungen Mathematik, the exam covers basic arithmetic (fractions, decimals, negative numbers), percentage and simple-interest calculations, linear equations and terms, area/volume/geometry including the Pythagorean theorem, and elementary statistics and probability. It does not include quadratic equations, trigonometric functions or calculus, which appear at MSA level and above.

How long is the exam and when is it held in 2026?

Bearbeitungszeit is 135 minutes total: up to 45 minutes for the calculator-free Heft 1, with the remaining time for Heft 2. A 20-minute Einlesezeit for Heft 2 precedes the working time. The written ESA Mathematik exam in the 2026 main session is set for Friday, 8 May 2026, with a Nachschreibtermin on Friday, 22 May 2026 (Erlass des MBWFK vom 14. November 2025 - III 334).

What can candidates use during the Mathematik exam?

Heft 1 is completed with no aids beyond drawing tools. For Heft 2, candidates receive the ministry-issued Formelsammlung and may use a Geo-Dreieck, drawing tools (a parabola template is explicitly not permitted), a compass, and a non-graphing calculator or an approved non-programmable digital alternative with equivalent functionality.

Are Dreisatz and formula-based solutions both accepted for percentage problems?

Yes. The official correction guidelines state that a percentage or interest problem solved via the standard formula and one solved via Dreisatz (proportional reasoning) receive equal credit, provided the reasoning is mathematically sound.

Who takes the ESA, and how does it differ from the MSA or the Abitur?

The ESA is sat in Jahrgangsstufe 9, mainly at Gemeinschaftsschulen, and is a lower-secondary qualification level under the Fachanforderungen Mathematik — testing basic arithmetic, percentages, linear equations and elementary geometry and statistics. It is distinct from and less advanced than the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA, Jahrgangsstufe 10), which adds quadratic functions and more advanced geometry, and from the gymnasiale-Oberstufe Zentralabitur, which covers calculus, vector geometry and inferential statistics.

Is there an exam fee?

No. The ESA is a compulsory-education state school examination and regularly enrolled candidates pay no fee. Nichtschüler-/Externenprüfungen are handled under separate state-administered arrangements with no published Mathematik-specific fee in the sources reviewed.