FSJ: Can I study for the TMS during my FSJ?

Henry Hildebrandt

Advisor at futuredoctor

Reading time: 5 Minuten

Last updated: 13 August 2024

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FSJ: Can you work for the TMS Learning? You want to learn as quickly as possible Study medicine? Here you can FSJ and TMS be a great help! But is it possible to reconcile the two? Is it worth it for your NC? And above all, how much time does the medical test and a voluntary social year take?

All questions are answered in this article.

FSJ and TMS: The key to a place at medical school?

Both are very good opportunities to improve your numerus clausus. But to be honest, the TMS is much more decisive for your chances of getting a place at university!

Example: NC 1.4

• Applying for a place to study medicine without TMS but with FSJ = low chances of a place
• Applying for a place to study medicine with TMS but without FSJ = good chances of a place (with an average-good result)

So you need a TMS result to be able to study medicine?

Exactly! Unless you have a 1.0 Abitur, you won't be able to avoid the TMS. This is because state universities have been placing a lot of emphasis on the TMS since the 2020 summer semester.

Depending on the university, up to 70% of your overall chances of gaining a place in the AdH can be determined by the TMS alone. Of course, your NC still plays a decisive role, but the TMS is becoming increasingly important.

However, this does not mean that you need the best TMS result to be able to study medicine. The combination of several elements is the key in most cases!

If you would like a detailed explanation of the selection procedures for medical studies, then take a look here:

Improve FSJ NC: Not a must but a can!

The FSJ can improve your A-levels! Depending on the university, different numbers of points will be credited to you. It is very difficult to determine this in grade points, but as a rule of thumb you can assume 0.2-0.3.

The voluntary social year is therefore by no means decisive if your NC is not sufficient to get a place in the Abitur quota. BUT: It gives you additional security, because every point counts in the selection process.

The FSJ is also a good way to fill the gap between your A-levels and the TMS the following year. You will learn about medical fields, gain an insight into everyday working life and become more confident in your decision to study medicine.

All information about your chances of getting into medical school in one e-book

Choose the right e-book for your Abi cut and find out about your options.

To the e-books

FSJ: Can you learn for the TMS during your FSJ?

So you've finished your A-levels and have decided to take part in the TMS the following year. Now you think you want to use the time as effectively as possible and complete an FSJ during this time. But is that a good idea? Or is it just too much effort?

FSJ and TMS: It's possible!

In our experience, this is definitely feasible. The TMS usually takes place in April-May, which is why you can't avoid doing both at the same time.

Nevertheless, we do not recommend that you spread your learning over the whole year. Unfortunately, this won't help you with the TMS, because it's less about understanding and learning and more about practising! And above all, it's about being at your best on the day of the exam.

Achieving TMS top form despite FSJ

To be optimally prepared, you should start studying 4 months before the TMS date! You should practise for at least 3 hours a day during these 4 months.

However, as you have to work 5 days a week, it will probably be very difficult to study for 3 hours a day. 8 hours of work + 3 hours of study sounds doable at first glance, but it will be very hard. Working takes away a lot of your energy.

That's why you have to divide up the hours! In total, you have to study for around 20 hours a week. On the two days off, you do 6 hours each, by which time half of it is already done. On the remaining 5 days, you study for 1.5 hours each.

So it is definitely possible to prepare intensively for the TMS while you are doing your FSJ.

Here you can also find great information about the TMS and how to prepare for it.

Talk to your employer

You should bear in mind that you are mainly working on a voluntary basis. That's why we would talk to your contact person at the start of the FSJ and explain your situation.

Normally they will understand and you may even be able to work part-time. It's not about the entire FSJ, but only 4 months.

FSJ during TMS preparation: 4 factors influence your decision

You should think carefully about the following factors if you want to take part in the TMS but also want to do an FSJ.

• Is it worth it for my NC? Do I trust myself to achieve a very good TMS result, or do I want to play it safe? Should I perhaps do an apprenticeship because my NC is clearly too bad?
• How do I earn money during this time? In the FSJ you only get €450 per month, can I finance everything with that?
• Would I like to go travelling and "experience something" in my year off?
• Dear Nursing internship (3 months) individually and concentrate fully on TMS?

It depends on your NC!

Ultimately, your A-level average is the decisive criterion. We have already worked out the perfect strategy for your NC to help you get a study place as quickly as possible. You will also find all the necessary information and deadlines at a glance:

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