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"Germany Facing Top Grade Overflow": Is there an issue with the highest school-leaving grades in Germany?

Issue of inflated grades in Asterix's academic records

"First Graduate Exam Flood": Is Germany experiencing an issue with top-tier marks?
"First Graduate Exam Flood": Is Germany experiencing an issue with top-tier marks?

Germany's elite students in crisis: Is there a problem with excess academic achievement? - "Germany Facing Top Grade Overflow": Is there an issue with the highest school-leaving grades in Germany?

In a recent statement, the Left Party's education spokesperson, Stefan Düll, has highlighted a shift in the ongoing debate about grades, emphasising the importance of focusing on the quality of the education system rather than just the grades themselves.

According to Düll, data from the 80s and 90s indicates that approximately 5 to 10 students at an average German gymnasium (high school) would graduate with a grade between 1.0 and 1.9. In contrast, today, this number has reportedly doubled or even tripled.

This trend of increasing straight-A Abitur (German high school diploma) grades has raised concerns among educators and the German Teachers' Association. The Association believes that the Abitur should not merely be seen as a "study permit," but also as a certification of "study capability."

The Association's concerns have found support within the Union ranks, with CDU member Christoph Ploß expressing his agreement. Ploß noted that there is a "grade inflation" in Germany that needs to be addressed.

Despite a lack of recent evidence in search results, there has been ongoing discussion in Germany about potential grade inflation in the Abitur over the past decade. Reports and studies suggest that the average Abitur grades have improved somewhat, and the proportion of students receiving top marks has increased. This has raised concerns among educators and universities that grade inflation might be occurring, potentially reducing the Abitur's ability to differentiate between student capabilities.

In 2023 and 2024, only about 30 percent of students reached a grade between 1.0 and 1.9, according to Düll. In Bavaria, for example, this figure was higher, reaching over 35 percent in 2021 and 2022.

The German Teachers' Association's analysis primarily relies on data showing an increase in Abitur top grades since 2006. However, comprehensive nationwide official data and a consensus on the extent of grade inflation in the Abitur remain limited and debated.

The Rheinische Post reported on these statements made by the German Teachers' Association, with Düll stating that there is a "flood" of students graduating with a straight-A average. Düll stressed that the Abitur is not something that is easily achieved, and quality should not be compromised further.

As the data for this year 2025 is not yet available in all federal states, the extent of grade inflation in the Abitur remains a topic of ongoing discussion and research in Germany.

EC countries could benefit from adopting Germany's approach towards the Abitur, focusing on personal-growth and learning opportunities, such as education-and-self-development and vocational training, to promote employment policy and combat potential grade inflation. STEFAN DÜLL, the Left Party's education spokesperson, suggests that an increased emphasis on vocational training could help curtail the flood of students graduating with a straight-A average and ensure the Abitur is a certification of study capability, rather than just a study permit.

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