بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
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Assalamu'alaikum
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Hallo Lieblings!
I'm sure I've mentioned this sacred ANP word previously but let's talk about it profoundly. I think this was the biggest challenge I had to overcome because all you need to surpass is to study and a tablespoon of luck.
Oh and don't miss the previous 3 episodes of the series! The First Footsteps: The Awkward Highschooler (#1), The First Footsteps: Before The Flight (#2), and The First Footsteps: Herzlich Wilkommen In Deutschland (#3).
As a disclaimer, please keep in mind that I wrote the exams back in 2019. Seeing that the exam systems and ofc questions might differ from time to time, please do stay updated and pay frequent visits to each of the Studienkollegs' websites. I hope my story would be helpful for you to avoid some of the stupidity that I did. This post will be decorated with a quite number of sarcastic emoji, please bear with it 💁
Now, shall we start?
Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP)
What is Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP)? It literally means entrance exam to enter Studienkolleg. Why do we need Studienkolleg and what is it actually can be found here (for a prologue):
I won't really focus on Studienkolleg terms in general but rather to my own personal story, because here in The Footsteps Series I'd like to tell me more about what I've experienced. Sorry folks, I promise I'll write a solo post about it in the future. Now let's get back to my story.
Once you register to a Studienkolleg, if they decide you can write the exam, they will send you a Zulassung. More like approval of joining the exam. I was actually registered and received my Zulassung in four different places, which were in Greifswald Studienkolleg (now it's closed), Mittelhessen Studienkolleg, Halle Studienkolleg, and Heidelberg Studienkolleg. But neither I nor my study agency was aware that the date of the exam in Greifswald and Mittelhessen were exactly the same 😄
Yeh, that's why kids you should double-check not only the place but also the DATE. I was actually disappointed of this news because the ANP dates were actually being posted here: https://www.studienkolleg.com/aufnahmepruefung-termine. To make yourself even sure, do check the dates in the Studienkollegs' websites because they might update some info. Please don't make the same mistakes as I did lads.
After discussing the pros and cons with my parents, my friends, and my seniors that went to Greifswald and Mittelhessen for a while, I decided to travel to Marburg, where Mittelhessen Studienkolleg is located. Actually, both Stk has the same standard they said, but what makes a huge difference is that both cities have... uniquely different charms. I suggest you explore the city through people's stories and google it to help make up your mind. For more detailed info about + and - in every Stk that I've known from my friends' stories you guys are welcomed to reach me through the message page.
To be honest it was such a bad idea to think that the first ANP is only to warm your brain up (and apparently that's what I did 😶). If you let that mindset grow and nourish, you wouldn't be challenged enough to strive and thrive for it. Every ANP is a golden ticket to continue onto the next level.
Here comes a mini Exkursion.
I think getting into Studienkolleg (Stk) is way harder than getting into Uni. Why? Because guess what,
- you use the marks you received in Studienkolleg to get into Uni + your Indo highschool report card ofc then divided by 2,
- there are lots of different Uni that offer numerous courses without any minimum scores,
- you can always move into different Uni if you feel like it because the EU uses this system called ECTS that makes the transfer of your credit points possible from one Uni to another. But make sure you transfer to a major that is very close to your previous one.
(More info: https://ec.europa.eu/education/resources-and-tools/european-credit-transfer-and-accumulation-system-ects_en)
So that means with no beautiful 1,0 marks in Studienkolleg you can still survive. But without Studienkolleg... I'm not sure about that.
FUN FACT: the German marking system is completely the other way around the normal Indo system. In Indo, the best IP one can get is 4.0, isn't it? The bigger the number, the better. But in German, the bigger the number, the uglier it'd be. So the best would be 1.0
Though getting Stk asap plays an important role, that doesn't mean the world is going to end if you didn't get it in your first semester here in Germany. Indo peeps got a chance of finishing Studienkolleg within 2 years/4 semesters since the first arrival. Better do it their way if you want to get less problem in Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde/ABH) by the time you need to renew your visa.
For example, I arrived in Germany in December 2018 which means I have to get into Uni by December 2020. Though there are some special cases in which Indo peeps are still allowed to stay in Germany for more than 2 years even if they don't get into Uni yet, such as starting Stk late thus one extra semester is necessary. But please note that different cities may have a different approach to this case. It's best to ask the closest Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde/ABH) / Indonesia Embassy (KBRI/KJRI) from your home!
Mittelhessen Studienkolleg
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| Philipps Uni Marburg |
Mittelhessen Studienkolleg is located in Marburg, Hessen. It was my first ever ANP and I guess I failed EPIC-ly on it, in my opinion. 😌✌ I arrived the day before and went exploring the Uni, on a very cold winter night, went out of the bus before the right station thus walked to the train station, and as an addition, it was snowing. What a very great experience on my very first ANP! But without the exploration, we wouldn't be confused in the morning so let's look at the bright side.
I'm applying to M Kurs, thus I gotta do Math and German tests. The test you'll be writing actually differs on which course you're taking. The questions aren't as hard as SBMPTN or USEK questions in Indo but you sure need time to think. I did most sample questions on their websites but I guess the luck goddess Nike wasn't siding me that day. (Oops no I don't believe in Greek Gods, just a fan of Rick Riordan's work). I was hoping too high that the sample questions will have at least 50% similarity to the real exam but DUH just like what I've expected, it isn't (yeh this one is a sarcasm).
Contents of the ANP in Marburg:
- German -- C-Test for every applicant. (around 40 minutes)
- Math -- for M/T/W Kurs applicant. (around 40 minutes)
More info and reference: https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/studienkolleg/fachkurse/tests
- Reading -- for G Kurs applicant. (around 40 minutes)
According to my own experience, this is what we did when we arrive in the building: First, we were gathered in a building to listen to the briefing and greeting from the headmaster. Second, you'll need to re-register yourself according to which course you are taking. Then, you'll be assigned into different rooms to write the exam -- mine is Math then German. (Please go to the toilet before the exam starts!) For Math, we did the exam in a big lecture hall/auditorium (Hörsaal) and as for German, we did the exam which was a 'fill in the blank' type of question (C-Test) on the computers in the computer room.
NOTE: Please don't forget to bring your exam approval (Zulassung) and your passport every time you are going to travel for ANP. Check your Visa validity too!
By the time I finished with all the exams, I feel screwed up. I studied not hard enough, tried not hard enough, sleep not good enough, and everything was not enough. I thought it'd be much easier here in Germany but no, it is not. The fact that I fail the exam slapped me right on my face that it is highly competitive here just to get into Studienkolleg. Because people that wanted to get in aren't just Indo, but all over the world 😙 Please do keep that in mind.
Many Indo peeps here in Germany are smartie people that went undercover, I think (re: bucik, sorry my fellow friends luv u ol). It's a con if you plan to get into Studienkollegs that apply limited chairs regulations for a country. Only 1 or 2 people from the same country were allowed to get the place in every course (T/M/W/G). And wow congratulations Sintya, some said that Mittelhessen Stk is one of the gang at that time. (There were no clarifications yet, so it was only a 'gossip')
The results were being uploaded on their website, you have to enter your participant's number (Teilnehmernummer / nomor peserta) and voila! The result will magically appear. Not gonna lie but I can't just stand there shattered into pieces while looking at the results. The fact that some of my friends are already accepted at other Studienkollegs really pressured me though. 😌
But after all, I decided to move on. Tryna throw away my disappointments be like:
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Halle Studienkolleg
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| Martin Luther Uni Halle-Wittenberg |
Halle Studienkolleg is located in Haale (Saale), Sachsen Anhalt. As an M-Kurs fighter, I was targetting this Studienkolleg for so long. The Uni offers various options for majors to choose from. If you are graduated from the Studienkolleg that located in the same Bundesland as the Uni you're going to apply to, you might get some advantages that others don't. One said that they will be counted with a different percentage from those that apply from different Bundesland. Long story short: they'd get a higher chance of getting accepted, and again, one said.
Preparing for ANP in Halle was one of the most insane phases in my life as I need to write Naturwissenschaft (Chemie, Physik, Biologie) and German exams on the same frikin day. I borrowed some books from the city library in Heidelberg, the one that is used for the 10th grade if I'm not mistaken. Actually, I wanted to learn with the Abitur one, but my senior said that it was actually too complex for ANP. (But it's good to learn from both books if you have time and ofc energy).
PRO TIP: If you want to study for ANP it isn't really necessary to buy new books if you can borrow it in the library or even buy second-hand books from Amazon or my favo web, Medimops!
In my opinion, one effective way to conquer this ANP is to explore the sample questions as the materials were too many. I wouldn't have time to prepare for 4 different subjects if I study every book thoroughly. Yeh I understand that the more you learn, the better you'll be prepared for the exam. But at some point, you just got to be realistic.
Contents of the ANP in Halle:
- German -- C-Test and reading test (40 min)
- Sciences (Naturwissenschaft) -- Biologie, Physik, Chemie for M-kurs (30 min)
- Math -- for T and W-kurs (30 min)
More info and reference: https://www.studienkolleg.uni-halle.de/aufnahmetest/
- English -- for G-kurs (30 min)
In general, this question is about the Blutkreislaufsystem or the blood circulatory system. That kids is a sign. You need to study the whole damn thing about the circulatory system. Not only to answer these questions but literally everything. Explore every possible question. Ask yourself what kind of questions might come out? It might be the functions of the organs, which part of the blood vessels that transport the oxygen-rich blood, the diseases that might occur in this system, and many more.
This time I went to Halle 2 days before the exam day as the PPI there were kind enough to give us noobs free tutorial for ANP preparation d-1. It was useful in my opinions as we get to know some tips and tricks to answer the questions and what kind of questions might show up. Thank you kakak kakak PPI Halle 👊
At last, the day has come. We did both German and Naturwissenschaft exams in a very, very big Auditorium. This time after the re-registration and pay for the exam (yes, we need to pay at some Stk to write the exam) we didn't have to move in and out like in Marburg. I'd say that the exam questions weren't really hard... except for Chemie. Tbh I'm so dumb at this certain subject. I might memorize the periodic table, but I can't remember all the trivial names. The questions other than giving names were actually general, like counting the molarity. Thank you so much Chemistry you made my eyes swollen for the whole day because I went straight to the toilet after I did the exams. HA.
Surprisingly Physik wasn't as hard as I expected it'd be because there were many questions about electricity and that is actually one of the few things I master in Physik 😂 As for Biologie, the questions are a bit more complex than the sample questions and I remembered forgetting about a disease's cure which, of course, I don't even remember today.
In German, we did 'fill in the blank' also known as C-Test questions and the writing test. The writing test that I wrote was about ourselves actually. That basic questions like why'd you go to Germany, why'd you choose Halle Stk, what are your achievements, dreams, etc. There were actually two types of C-Test questions, type A and B. I can't quite remember which one did I got... but I was shocked that the German C-Test questions that I took have a 98% similarity with the sample questions.
But. There is still a but.
You guess it. Another drama.
In this case, I was arrogant (or stupid?!?) enough that I only did the sample question 2 times. Exactly -- defo not enough to memorize every single word there. My mind was blown away to the middle of nowhere. As I was running out of time and because of all of this panic state of mind I couldn't think properly. I thought my experience in Marburg was telling me to get a grip on the German vocabs and not to rely on the sample questions. But I guess life doesn't work that way...
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I thought so countless times but I believe there will be eventually sunshine even after the worst storms. Don't stop, keep on going. That one sack of gold you've always wanted might not be yours now maybe, just maybe, without you even knowing God may have prepared for you one big gold mine!
Personally, I think because the questions weren't so hard, the competition will be harder as there are lots of smarties. We came to the conclusion that... it's not the more questions you answer the bigger the chance anymore, but the less you do wrong, the more your chance will be. It's almost the same though but slightly different.
After a couple weeks, the results had shown that I should be prepared for my next exam in my 'hometown' -- Heidelberg.
Heidelberg Studienkolleg
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| Heidelberg Uni (Library) |
Ah at last, hello Heidelberg my old friend. All of the dramatic experiences that happened both in Marburg and Halle made me think that I don't worth of being here in Germany. That was sad but true. Most of my friends were already moving out to other cities, ready to venture. Other than my pathetic life at that time and every tear that dropped each time I told people I've not succeeded... yet.
I was actually grateful tho that I got enough time to clear my mind and study. I owe this to the calm sunsets I get to see from the Old Bridge and soft breezy wind that softly passing through the pages of self-help book I was reading beside the Neckar River. Being a gorgeous tourism city with touristy places I oftentimes went undercover as a tourist. It's one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. You won't regret coming here, versprochen!
Bless Heidelberg Studienkolleg for their mercy of only making one subject as the entrance exam -- German.
PRO TIP
- memorize a number of vocabs every day and enrich yourself with C1 level vocabularies,
- learn Grammar stuff from A1-B2 with no exceptions!! Even all those Nomen-Verb Verbindung
- listen to many, many Deutsche Welle news,
- watch a couple of Netflix series in German,
- re-do the sample questions until you are broke,
- practice your writing skill by... writing! Ask your teacher in the language course to correct your grammar and vocabulary,
- memorize commonly used words for each type of text such as describing graphs, bewerbungsschreiben, description, etc,
- and don't be afraid to ask and make mistakes -- because sweetie, that's how you learn.
I was actually very anxious because only one person from Indonesia was accepted here in the previous semester. And no one really knows if that's because of the country limit or because it was really competitive there. But at some point, I realize that there is no use of thinking and worrying about things I couldn't control. This time, I wouldn't waste any more time. Even if in the end it's not working out, at least I've tried and gave my best effort into this.
After some time, the day finally came. As the exam building is a bit far from my home, I left super early and took the tram. Thanks to my super kind friends and my senior that are willing to sacrifice their precious time in helping me and calming me down, I arrived at the building... surrendering. 😌
Contents of ANP in Heidelberg (only German)
- Grammar -- Grammatik from Grundstufe (A1, A2) → Mittelstufe (B1, B2) → Oberstufe (C1) for around 45 minutes
More info and reference: http://www.isz.uni-heidelberg.de/d_pruef_et.html
- Listening and/ writing (45 minutes)
The questions were thankfully not so hard, though there are several words I don't understand and I was forced to use my instinct. I was quite satisfied with my writing test, thanks to months of preparations and quarrels I had with some people HAHA. I remembered writing I'm going to buy a bicycle if they accept me, but 'cause of a sudden realization that I was so broke, I feel like shouldn't buy one 😀 sorry Heidelberg. The lovely lady who reads the listening text (yes, we don't use tape recorders in most ANP) has that kind of calming voice that was magically easy to understand.
To be honest I wasn't really expecting to get accepted in Heidelberg, seeing that it is one of the schools with higher standards -- especially knowing the fact that it's one of the best Uni for medicine in Germany. Even if I'm taking M-Kurs, I wasn't planning to study medicine actually. Ndilalah the major I'm going to take, which is Lebensmittelwissenschaft (Food science) can only be taken by those who got an M-Kurs certificate in Stk. Sweeeet 💃
At the time of waiting for the result, I busy myself exploring other Studienkollegs that I planned to register for the exam in the next semester. Yes. I was that pessimistic and there is actually nothing to lose if I plan B in case plan A won't work.
At last, the day finally came. I remembered skipping my language course and went straight to a bakery near the exam building. Actually, the result will also be posted on the website but I feel like looking into it myself on the information board. You know, just to make it more... dramatic. I was really afraid and my hands were trembling. Thankfully two of my close friends were there to support me (thank you Thea and Mbak Mayang💕).
After my heart was a little bit more ready, we walked to the building where the information board supposed to be located. Once we found it, I quickly look for my number...
After my heart was a little bit more ready, we walked to the building where the information board supposed to be located. Once we found it, I quickly look for my number...
And that was it.
Tears started to fall down my cheeks.
I can't believe it.
After all those sleepless nights and headaches, after all the pressure I got from myself, after all those tears in every sujood...
I fought the odds.
My number was there.
I made it.
It's a quite long post but the journey hasn't ended there yet pals. Get ready for new drama as I talk about my life at Heidelberg Studienkolleg 👀 there might be a solo post regarding Studienkolleg in general, please wait for it!
Love and Light,
Sintya.
BONUS
💫 PRO TIP: TRAVELLING FOR ANP 💪
- Check the date and time of the exam.
- Bring a sleeping bag (Schlafsack) in case your host is unable to provide beds, blankets, or if the heater (Heizung) is not in good condition. This is a must-bring item when you're traveling for ANP, except if your host tells you shouldn't bring one. You can buy sleeping bags in Mountain Warehouse, they often give discounts to students.
- Bring your own food. Minimal for your breakfast on d-day. I love to bring (and eat) cup noodles, cup pasta (yes its real here), or cereal and then buy milk in the city once I arrived.
- Bring just enough clothes, please. Believe it or not, I used to go to ANPs with a suItCAsE. Except if you share one suitcase with some of your lads.
- Bring Antangin, Vitamin C, and crucial medicines
- Arrive one day earlier especially if the exam place is far away from where you live, so you wouldn't be in a rush on d-day.
- Stay updated to PPI's Instagram in the city you're going to travel to for the exam. You can stalk PPI Jerman's following on Instagram to explore the 'branches'. Most times some PPI love to provide cutie noobs with preparation classes and rooms to stay for free.
- As the rooms in PPI are limited, you should check maybe around a month beforehand and register asap as soon as they open the booking forms. If it's getting closer to the exam date and there is no info about it, for God's sake, please ask. I'm sure they'd love to answer your questions and help you out. As another option, you can book a room through Airbnb, A&O, or even in Jugendherberge. (Some of my friends prefer to travel the whole night, arrived right in the early morning on d-day, and travel back home right after the exam though to cut the expenses)
- Prepare and book transport tickets long before your departure. The common sense of transportation vehicles still applies buddy, the closer to the travel date, the higher the cost will be. I'd recommend you travel with Flixbus, Flixtrain, Blablabus, Blablacar or even Deutsche Bahn (DB). If you are lucky enough you might get half the price of DB train tickets (or even only 1 frikin euro) if you travel with the Flix and Blabla family.
- Download well-known travel apps in Google Play, App Store, etc. I use an app called Omio and From A to B to compare tickets and DB Navigator to check train-bus connections and buy tickets maybe it might be useful for you too. If you travel in a group with a multiple of 5 people you can buy Quer-durchs-Land (QDL) Ticket which may be cheaper. The more people you have in your group, the friendlier it will be to your wallet.
- Take some time to explore the exam place, i.e. how to get there from where you are staying, what buses or trains you should take to get there, and the amount of time you need to travel there.
- Sleep well and eat well before the exam.
Please note that some of the tips may not apply to your situations, please choose and filter wisely according to your own preferences. If you have any questions related to ANP, you can always leave a message in my message page. Thank you! 💗
Keyword: Studienkolleg Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP), ujian masuk Studienkolleg, ANP Stk, ujian masuk ANP Studienkolleg Jerman, tips ANP Studienkolleg, pengalaman ANP Studienkolleg.
Keyword: Studienkolleg Aufnahmeprüfung (ANP), ujian masuk Studienkolleg, ANP Stk, ujian masuk ANP Studienkolleg Jerman, tips ANP Studienkolleg, pengalaman ANP Studienkolleg.
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