Oral Examinations at German Universities

Oral examinations have long been a part of German higher education. This paper gives a brief account of their historical roots and the continuing debate about their functions and validity. The earlier phases of the twentieth century debate concentrated on methodology and issues of technique. The educational changes of the 1970s brought more fundamental challenges and calls for their abolition. Yet they remain in place and there is a body of opinion which continues to defend their use and to assign them a role in the assessment process.