Exam Countdown

Key Research Findings

DetailValue
Exam dateFriday, 10 July 2026
Registration window1 April – 4 May 2026 (online via TISS)
Available places200 per year
Exam durationExactly 2 hours
On-site time~4-5 hours total (arrive 1h early)
FormatWritten on paper — mark answers on MC answer sheets with pen
Answer scanningElectronically scanned — must be clean, unambiguous marks (crosses)
LanguageGerman only (all questions, all sections)
Scoring weightsPart A: 40% • Part B: 20% • Part C: 40%
MC scoringOne or more correct answers per question (but never all). Partial credit for correct ticks. Wrong ticks reduce score. Minimum 0 per question.
What to bringIdentification card from registration + first page of admission confirmation
If you miss itNo second chance — no make-up appointment. You cannot be admitted that year.

Historical Statistics

YearRegisteredInvitedParticipated/AwardedPlacesAcceptance
2024233231189 awarded200~82%
2025225223182 participated200~91%
In recent years, fewer people took the test than there were places. Everyone who participated and did reasonably well got a place. But 2026 has new earlier deadlines, which may change patterns.

Important Links

What to Expect on Exam Day

Before the Exam

ItemDetail
DateFriday, 10 July 2026
Arrival~1 hour before exam start. Total on-site time: 4-5 hours.
LocationTU Wien campus (exact hall announced in your admission confirmation via TISS)
Bring
  • Your identification card provided during registration
  • The first page of your admission confirmation
  • Pen (for marking answer sheets)
  • No electronic devices allowed during the exam

During the Exam (2 hours)

You receive:

  • An Aufgabenheft (task booklet) with all questions
  • Antwortbögen (answer sheets) for marking your responses

Important rules:

  • The test leader gives instructions before you start — listen carefully
  • You choose the order of sections (A, B, C) yourself
  • You can mark answers directly on answer sheets OR in the booklet first and transfer later
  • Only answers on the answer sheet count — booklet marks are not scored
  • Marks must be clean and unambiguous (the computer cannot interpret unclear marks)
  • Plan time for transferring answers if you work in the booklet first

The Three Exam Parts

Part A: Subject Knowledge (Fachteil) — 40%

  • Multiple choice questions about OEREK 2030 and Studienplan content
  • One or more answers can be correct per question (but never all)
  • Partial credit for each correct tick
  • Wrong ticks are subtracted from correct ticks
  • Minimum score per question: 0 (cannot go negative)
  • Tip: Only tick answers you are confident about. Guessing can cost points.

Part B: Text Comprehension (Textverständnis) — 20%

  • Read German texts about spatial planning topics
  • For each statement, decide: true, false, or not determinable based on the text
  • Base your answer ONLY on the text, not your outside knowledge
  • You may re-read the texts during this section
  • Tip: Even if a statement seems true, check if the text actually supports it

Part C: Cognitive Abilities (Kognitive Fähigkeiten) — 40%

Multiple sub-types:

  • Analogies (Analoges Schließen): "A : B = C : ?" — find the word with the same relationship
  • Number sequences (Zahlenfolgen): Find the next integer in the pattern using basic arithmetic
  • Logic tasks (Logikaufgaben): Two premises → which conclusions are valid?
  • Spatial reasoning (Räumliches Vorstellen): Track a cube being rotated/flipped step by step
  • Matrices (Matrizen): Find the missing figure in a pattern grid — construct the answer from elements

Tip: For spatial reasoning and matrices, sketch your answer in the drawing field provided. Sketches are not scored but help you mark the correct answer on the answer sheet.

After the Exam

  • Answer sheets are electronically scanned and scored
  • Weighted scores (40/20/40) are summed to a total score
  • Candidates are ranked by total score
  • Top 200 candidates are offered a study place
  • Results are communicated via your TISS guest account

10-Week Study Plan

Based on ~74 days until the exam (27 April → 10 July 2026). Adjust dates as needed.

Priority allocation: Part A (40%) and Part C (40%) carry equal weight. Part C is harder to improve quickly (cognitive skills), but Part A is pure memorization and can be crammed. Strategy: start with OEREK 2030 reading, practice cognitive tasks in parallel.
WeekDatesFocusTasks
128 Apr – 4 May URGENT: Registration
  • Complete online registration at TISS (deadline: 4 May!)
  • Upload motivation letter (German, 2000-3500 chars)
  • Read Reihungstest Info PDF completely
  • Skim OEREK 2030 — read the table of contents and introduction
25 – 11 May OEREK 2030 Part 1
  • Read OEREK Ch. 1-2: Mission Statement, Leitbild, Grundsätze
  • Learn the 3 principles: klimaverträglich, gemeinwohlorientiert, gerecht
  • Take quiz: OEREK Principles
  • Start daily cognitive practice (15 min: analogies, number sequences)
312 – 18 May OEREK 2030 Part 2
  • Read OEREK Ch. 3: Megatrends (climate, digitalization, demographics, etc.)
  • Take quiz: Megatrends
  • Cognitive practice: logic tasks, spatial reasoning
419 – 25 May OEREK 2030 Part 3
  • Read OEREK Ch. 4-5: Global/EU/national mandates + spatial challenges
  • Learn the 5 OEREK spatial types (Stadtregionen, ländliche Räume, etc.)
  • Cognitive practice: matrices
526 May – 1 Jun OEREK 2030 Part 4
  • Read OEREK Ch. 6: The 4 pillars of the action program
  • Read OEREK Ch. 7: The 10-point program
  • Take comprehensive OEREK quiz
62 – 8 Jun Studienplan
  • Read Studienplan: qualification profile, structure, modules overview
  • Note: exact LV titles not tested — focus on what Raumplanung IS
  • Take quiz: Studienplan
  • First full mock exam (untimed, for familiarization)
79 – 15 Jun Review + Weak Areas
  • Review dashboard — identify weak topics
  • Re-read weak OEREK sections
  • Practice text comprehension with sample texts
  • Timed mock exam #1 (2 hours)
816 – 22 Jun Intensive Practice
  • Daily quiz rotation (one topic per day)
  • Cognitive practice: 30 min/day
  • Re-read OEREK key sections (principles, spatial goals, action pillars)
  • Timed mock exam #2
923 – 29 Jun Consolidation
  • Focus on OEREK vocabulary in German (key terms, definitions)
  • Practice tricky text comprehension (distinguish "true" from "not determinable")
  • Timed mock exam #3
  • Review all quiz history — target 80%+ on all topics
1030 Jun – 9 Jul Final Week
  • Light review only — no new material
  • Final mock exam #4 (simulate full exam conditions)
  • Prepare documents: ID card, admission confirmation
  • Check exam location and plan travel
  • Rest well the night before

Critical Milestones

DateMilestoneStatus
4 May 2026Registration deadline (TISS) + motivation letter upload7 days left!
18 MayFinish OEREK 2030 chapters 1-3 (principles + megatrends)Pending
1 JunFinish OEREK 2030 completelyPending
8 JunFinish Studienplan reading + first mock examPending
15 JunAll quiz topics attempted at least oncePending
29 JunAll quiz topics at 80%+ accuracyPending
9 JulFinal mock exam completed + documents preparedPending
10 Jul 2026EXAM DAYTarget
Registration closes 4 May 2026! If not already registered, do this IMMEDIATELY at tiss.tuwien.ac.at. You must upload a German motivation letter (2000-3500 characters) during registration.