The 10 Most Common FSP Mistakes

Most people who fail the FSP don't fail from a lack of medical knowledge — they lose on the same recurring mistakes. Here are the 10 most common ones, each with a practical fix.

Why does this list matter? In some states, one in every two foreign physicians who sits the FSP fails on the first attempt (Bayern ~52%). The experts' shared verdict is clear: people fail not on grammar, but on structure, communication and strategy mistakes of the kind below. The good news: every one of them is preventable.

1. Using medical terms with the patient

The classic mistake. To the patient you say "Herzinfarkt", not "Myokardinfarkt"; "Atemnot / Kurzatmigkeit", not "Dyspnoe". Fix: memorize the everyday-language ↔ term pairing.

2. Forgetting Konjunktiv I (Arztbrief)

Writing what the patient said in a plain indicative sentence costs points. The "Der Patient berichtet, er habe…" pattern must be reflex. Fix: write and memorize 10 example sentences in Konjunktiv I.

3. Showing no empathy

Turning into a mere question machine. Sentences like "Das tut mir leid" and "Ich verstehe Ihre Sorge" form a separate category in the assessment. Fix: plan at least 2 empathy sentences in every anamnesis.

4. Interrupting the patient

Cutting in while the patient is speaking, out of stress. Fix: start with an open-ended question and leave the patient 20-30 seconds of space to speak.

5. Time management (not finishing the Arztbrief)

Getting bogged down in detail during the documentation and running over time. Fix: write the headings/skeleton first, then fill in. An unfinished letter beats a perfect half-letter.

6. Being afraid to ask questions (Arzt-Arzt)

Answering a colleague's question in the case presentation without understanding it. Fix: saying "Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen?" is not a mistake — it's professionalism.

7. Using abbreviations incorrectly

Using abbreviations like "V.a.", "DD", "Z.n." at random. Fix: use only the ones you're sure of; write the rest out in full.

8. Never having heard the dialect

The person playing the patient may drift into regional everyday speech. Fix: spend a few hours getting familiar with the dialect of the state where you'll take the exam.

9. Not rehearsing under real conditions

Only memorizing vocabulary and never trying to speak under pressure. Fix: do timed, full-format rehearsals — knowing ≠ being able to use it fluently.

10. Choosing the wrong state/exam

Picking an exam location without factoring in the waiting time or fee. Fix: compare the trio of fee + waiting time + format (state table).

Remember: the three parts of the FSP (anamnesis, Arztbrief, doctor presentation) are passed separately — a high mark in one does not compensate for a low mark in another. That's why neglecting a single part puts the whole exam at risk. At least half of your preparation should be active speaking and full-format, timed rehearsal.