The State Medical Association has so far conducted a total of 3,650 specialist language examinations that foreign doctors need for a professional license in Saxony. This year alone, there have already been 504, including 332 first-time examinations and 172 retakes. At almost 300, most of the candidates came from Syria, where graduates often learn German directly after their studies and apply to leave the country.
According to the chamber, examinations are now held up to two days a week in order to keep registration deadlines as short as possible. Short-notice rejections due to a lack of language skills or multiple failures are reportedly making organization more difficult, resulting in waiting times. Simulated interviews with the patient and doctor as well as the written reproduction of the medical history and findings must be passed.
