The FSP consists of three exam parts
The Fachsprachprüfung (FSP) is divided into three consecutive parts that test your linguistic-communicative skills in everyday medical practice from different angles. Total duration is usually between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the Landesärztekammer.
Note: exam details (time limits, pass threshold, order of parts) vary by Landesärztekammer. Please always check the latest information with your competent board.
Part 1: Doctor-patient conversation (history-taking)
In this part you conduct a conversation with an actor-patient presenting a specific complaint. Your tasks:
Professional, empathetic greeting of the patient
Structured history-taking: chief complaint, pain characteristics, prior conditions, medications, allergies, family history
Use of patient-friendly language (no unexplained technical terms)
Active listening and appropriate non-verbal communication
Time allowed: approx. 20-25 minutes
Part 2: Medical letter (written report)
Following the patient conversation, you write a medical letter (Arztbrief) based on the information gathered. It should follow the German medical letter standard and include:
Patient data (age, sex, reason for presentation)
Summary of the history
Prior conditions and current medication
Preliminary diagnosis or differential diagnosis
Proposed diagnostic and therapeutic measures
Recommendations for further treatment
The letter must be formally correct, linguistically precise, and well structured. Time allowed: approx. 20-25 minutes
Part 3: Doctor-to-doctor conversation (case presentation)
In this part you present the case to an examiner acting as a medical colleague. The goal is to demonstrate your ability to:
Present the case concisely and systematically to a colleague
Use correct medical terminology (unlike in Part 1)
Discuss differential diagnoses at a professional level
Propose a sound treatment and diagnostic plan
Answer follow-up questions confidently and competently
Time allowed: approx. 10-15 minutes
Assessment criteria
Examiners generally assess:
Correctness and contextual appropriateness of terminology
Structure and logical flow of statements
Non-verbal communication (eye contact, body language)
Fluency and professional transitions
Quality of the medical letter in structure, content, and language
Preparation with Kennti
Kennti's FSP courses include realistic simulation exercises for all three exam parts, including individual medical-letter corrections and history-taking feedback. See all available courses at: kennti.com/abo