MSA Oral Presentation: How to Ace the Prüfungsgespräch

The MSA (Mittlerer Schulabschluss) includes an oral examination that many students underestimate until it's too late. For expat students, it's often the most nerve-wracking component — and with the right preparation, it's also where you can shine.

What the Oral Exam Looks Like

The Prüfungsgespräch is typically 15–20 minutes and includes:

1. A prepared presentation (Präsentation) — 5–8 minutes on a topic you choose in advance
2. A discussion (Gespräch) — the examiner asks follow-up questions

Topics can range from a personal project, a scientific question, a literary text, or a current social issue. You have several weeks to prepare.

Choosing Your Topic

Choose something you genuinely find interesting — examiners can tell when passion is absent. Strong topic categories:

• A biographical research project (a historical figure, a scientist)
• A local or environmental issue with clear data
• Analysis of a book or film studied in class

Avoid vague topics like "social media" without a clear angle. Instead: "How does social media affect teenagers' self-image — and what does the research say?"

Structure Your Presentation

German oral presentations follow a clear structure:

Introduction (Einleitung)

• State your topic and why you chose it
• Outline what you will cover (a brief Gliederung)

Main Body (Hauptteil)

• 2–3 clear sections with evidence or examples
• Use Erstens / Zweitens / Drittens or Zum einen / Zum anderen

Conclusion (Schluss)

• Summarise your main points
• Give your personal assessment (Ich bin der Meinung, dass…)

Handling Questions

When the examiner asks a question you're unsure about:

• Don't panic. Buying time is allowed: "Das ist eine interessante Frage. Ich denke, dass…"
• If you don't know, say so — briefly — and offer what you do know
• Never mix languages mid-answer

Practise Out Loud

The single most important preparation step is speaking out loud — not just thinking through what you'll say. Record yourself. Watch it back. Count hesitations.

We run mock oral exams with real-time feedback in our MSA preparation programme. Book a session to practise.