Comparison of the Abitur examination in mathematics in Germany before and after reunification in 1990

Abstract In Germany, the Abitur is highest qualification granted at end of secondary education after 12 or 13 years schooling; it provides a general university entrance qualification. Traditionally, written and oral examinations are required to obtain Abitur. Until 1990, there were mainly decentralized in mathematics West Germany (Federal Republic [FRG]), which taken school years, centralized examination that students took East (German Democratic [GDR]). unified now increasingly set by 16 individual federal states. This paper has special focus on changes permanent features context social caused German reunification 1990. These since 1990 described with regard initial situation framing conditions for examination. Two time periods considered: (1) FRG GDR before (2) five eastern states (former GDR) under system change accession but PISA shock.