Prüfungsgrad

Prüfungsgrad is a German noun formed from Prüfung (examination, test) and Grad (degree, level). It denotes the degree or level to which a formal examination, test, or verification has been carried out or is required. Because its precise meaning is context-dependent, there is no single universal definition; interpretations vary by field and institution.

In education, Prüfungsgrad describes the status of a candidate within an examination process. Typical outcomes include bestanden (passed) and nicht bestanden (failed), with additional designations such as mit Auszeichnung (with distinction) used in some regulations or transcripts. The term focuses on meeting or not meeting the established requirements, rather than on the numerical grade alone.

In quality assurance, licensing, and regulatory contexts, Prüfungsgrad relates to how thoroughly a product, process, or system has been tested or validated against defined criteria. It encompasses the scope of testing, the depth of verification, and alignment with standards or specifications. Documents such as test plans, validation reports, and certification dossiers may describe the Prüfungsgrad in terms of low, medium, or high, or with other level descriptors defined by the relevant standard.

The usage of Prüfungsgrad therefore varies by domain, region, and issuing authority. For precise meaning in a given situation, the applicable regulations, standards, or institutional guidelines should be consulted. Etymologically, the term is a straightforward compound of Prüfung and Grad, reflecting its core idea: the level of examination, testing, or verification a subject or item has undergone.