Source: Info_Raumplanung_Info_AV_RPL_TU_2026.pdf — Created by the Centre for Strategic Teaching Development at TU Wien, February 2026
Test Structure and Scoring
The written ranking test comprises three parts:
| Part | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Subject knowledge from the prescribed study material | 40% |
| Part B | Text comprehension | 20% |
| Part C | Cognitive abilities | 40% |
The exam lasts exactly two hours. The test is designed so that all parts can be fully completed within this time.
The points achieved are weighted (recalculated so that each test part corresponds to its assigned weight). The weighted values of the test parts are summed to produce the overall result, which determines your ranking position.
- You can choose the order in which you work through the test parts.
- Your answers are evaluated electronically — work precisely and neatly.
- Only answers on the answer sheet are valid.
Part A: Subject Knowledge (40%)
This part tests your learning ability. You must answer multiple-choice questions that refer to the prescribed study material.
- Each question has several answer options
- One or more (but never all) answers can be correct
- You receive partial credit for each correct answer
- You achieve full marks when you tick all correct answers
- Warning: Wrong answers are deducted from correct ones
- You cannot score less than zero points per question
Study Material for Part A
The subject section is based on two documents:
- Austrian Spatial Development Concept OEREK 2030 (178 pages) — Knowledge Base
- Curriculum for the Bachelor's Programme in Spatial Planning (66 pages) — Knowledge Base
From the curriculum, the following are particularly relevant: the qualification profile, duration and scope, and the structure of the programme. The exact titles of individual modules and courses are not relevant for the exam.
Example Question
Question: Which tasks are part of the professional profile of spatial planners?
Part B: Text Comprehension (20%)
This part tests your ability to absorb, understand, and correctly contextualise the content of texts.
- You receive texts in German together with statements referring to these texts
- For each statement, decide: true, false, or cannot be determined
- Base your answer only on the text, not on your prior knowledge
Example: Town Centre Revitalisation in Silz
The municipality of Silz in Tyrol was confronted several years ago with increasing desolation of its town centre. The deterioration of buildings, some with historic building fabric up to 300 years old, greatly reduced the quality of living in the centre. The decision was made to implement revitalisation measures, as the alternative — rezoning at the outer edges — would have brought urban sprawl and soil sealing. Over 14 years, 83 buildings were renovated. Investment: 12 million euros, of which the province and municipality co-financed 700,000 euros.
Source: ÖROK: 15th Spatial Planning Report, 2018
1. Unused buildings can contribute to urban sprawl.
→ Cannot be determined (c) — The text says rezoning leads to sprawl, not vacant buildings directly.
2. The majority of investment funds were provided by the municipality.
→ False (b) — Only 700,000 of 12 million came from public sources. The majority (11.3M) was private.
3. Excursions offered residents an attractive opportunity for participation.
→ Cannot be determined (c) — The text mentions excursions but does not say they were "attractive".
Part C: Cognitive Abilities (40%)
This part contains different task types:
1. Analogies (Analogical Reasoning)
Three words given. Find the word with the same relationship as the first two.
- Example: Day : Night = Light : ? → Darkness (opposites)
- Cow : Barn = Dog : ? → Kennel (b)
- Lake : Boat = Sky : ? → Helicopter (d)
2. Number Sequences
Find the next integer using basic arithmetic.
- 1, 4, 8, 3, 6, 12, 7, ? → 10 (pattern: +3, ×2, −5 repeating)
- 8, 24, 12, 36, 18, 54, 27, ? → 81 (×3, ÷2 alternating)
3. Logic Tasks
Derive valid conclusions from two premises. Tick all valid conclusions.
Statement 1: At least one Amiv is a Plosa
Statement 2: All Plosa are Urov
Valid: b) At least one Plosa is Urov; d) At least one Amiv is Urov
c) "All Amiv are Plosa" cannot be derived — it's not contradicted but not proven.
4. Spatial Reasoning (Cube / Würfel)
A cube is tipped/rotated in a series of steps. After each step, state which symbol is on the front face.
4.1 Default Orientation
You sit facing the cube. The 6 faces are:
| Face | Position | German term |
|---|---|---|
| Front (V) | Facing you | Vorne |
| Back (H) | Away from you | Hinten |
| Top (O) | Pointing up | Oben |
| Bottom (U) | On the table | Unten |
| Left (L) | Your left hand | Links |
| Right (R) | Your right hand | Rechts |
Official example: Front=Circle, Back=Star, Top=Cross, Bottom=Triangle, Left=empty, Right=empty.
4.2 Glossary of Operations
| German term | English | What moves | What STAYS |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Ihre Richtung gekippt | Tipped towards you | T→F→Bo→B→T | Left & Right |
| Von Ihnen weg gekippt | Tipped away from you | Bo→F→T→B→Bo | Left & Right |
| Nach rechts gekippt | Tipped right | L→F→R→B→L | Top & Bottom |
| Nach links gekippt | Tipped left | R→F→L→B→R | Top & Bottom |
| Gedreht (90°/180°) | Rotated (like a spinning top) | 90° CW: L→F→R→B→L 180°: F↔B, L↔R |
Top & Bottom ALWAYS stay |
| Im Uhrzeigersinn (UZS) | Clockwise (viewed from above) | F→R, R→B, B→L, L→F | Top & Bottom |
| Gegen den Uhrzeigersinn | Counter-clockwise | F→L, L→B, B→R, R→F | Top & Bottom |
4.3 Key Distinctions
| Confusion risk | How to tell apart |
|---|---|
| Tip (kippen) vs Rotate (drehen) | Tip = cube falls/tilts over (like a tower toppling). Rotate = spins in place like a top. Rotations ALWAYS keep top & bottom unchanged. |
| 4× same tip = back to start | 4 identical tips = full 360°. Also: right+left or towards+away cancel out. |
4.4 Solving Strategy
- Before starting: Write all 6 faces: F=?, B=?, T=?, Bo=?, L=?, R=?
- After each step: Update ALL 6 faces (not just the front!)
- Sketch: Draw a cross (cube net) and label each face
- Check: You must have 6 different symbols (none missing, none duplicated)
- Time: ~3 min per cube task. Don't overthink.
5. Matrices
Find the missing figure in a pattern grid. Construct the answer from individual elements.
Preparation
- Use the literature at tuwien.at/studium/aufnahme-rp
- Work through Quizzes after reading each knowledge base section
- Always read questions carefully before answering
- Text comprehension: check if statements are supported by the text, not your knowledge
- Spatial reasoning and matrices: sketch your answer in the drawing field
- Practice cognitive tasks daily (15-30 min) — they are 40% of the exam