Preparation
How to prepare for the EPM exam in Graz: a plan for 8 to 12 weeks
The Ergänzungsprüfung Mathematik at the Vorstudienlehrgang of the Graz universities (VGUH) is a written exam of 180 minutes. There is no oral exam in mathematics, and the VGUH publishes no points threshold for passing. So a plan has to make the whole material equally solid instead of aiming at a minimum score.
The plan below runs over 12 weeks and can be compressed to 8. It follows the topics that really came up in 8 VGUH sittings we analysed, and says for each phase what to do with the practice papers and in the trainer.
Starting point: what the exam asks of you
The exam lasts 180 minutes, written, with a calculator and a formula collection. Start with a practice paper, in 180 minutes and with the same aids, and see which topics you left unfinished or got wrong. That is where your plan gets extra time.
Note that the rules of the Vienna supplementary exams do not apply to Graz automatically. Format, fee and aids differ, and the VGUH has published no points threshold. Do not carry a rule over from Vienna.
| What | Rule |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 180 minutes |
| Oral exam | None: at the VGUH mathematics is a written exam only |
| Passed | The VGUH publishes no points threshold for mathematics |
| Aids | A calculator TI 30 X II S, TI 30 X II B, TI 30 X a, TI 30 ECO RS and the official AHS formula collection |
| Retakes | A failed exam may be repeated up to 3 times |
| Fee | 66 euros per exam |
| Requirement | A place at a Graz university that prescribes the exam; possible without attending the course |
Source: the exams page and the Prüfungsordnung of the VGUH (valid from 2026), and the fee sheet for the winter semester 2026/27.
Which topics come up
We analysed 8 VGUH sittings. The five topic areas Differential and Integral Calculus, Probability Theory, Growth and Decay, Trigonometry and Vector Calculus came up at every one of them, and calculus dominates: curve sketching, extrema, area calculation and volumes of revolution, plus the normal distribution, came up at all 8 sittings. That is where the order of the plan comes from.
| Topic | Sittings that contained it | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Curve sketching | 8 of 8 | 12 |
| Extrema | 8 of 8 | 12 |
| Area calculation | 8 of 8 | 9 |
| Normal distribution | 8 of 8 | 9 |
| Volume of revolution | 8 of 8 | 8 |
| Binomial distribution | 7 of 8 | 8 |
| Zeros and roots | 7 of 8 | 8 |
| Law of sines | 7 of 8 | 7 |
Counted over 8 VGUH sittings we analysed, the most frequent topics first. The five topic areas of the trainer came up at every one of these sittings.
The plan: 12 weeks in 4 phases
Calculus comes first, because it holds the most frequent topics and needs the most practice. Probability and growth and decay follow, then trigonometry and vector calculus, and whole papers against the clock come last.
If you only have 8 weeks, give each phase 2 weeks instead of 3. The order stays the same.
| Weeks | Focus | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Differential and Integral Calculus | Practise curve sketching, extrema, areas and volumes of revolution, then the same topics in practice papers |
| 4 to 6 | Probability Theory and Growth and Decay | Normal and binomial distribution, exponential growth and decay, each checked with practice-paper tasks |
| 7 to 9 | Trigonometry and Vector Calculus | Law of sines and cosines, lines and planes in space, distances and angles |
| 10 to 12 | whole papers against the clock | Take whole papers in 180 minutes with a calculator and the formula collection, then work on the weakest spot |
Weeks 1 to 3: Differential and Integral Calculus
Differential and integral calculus are the core of the exam. Work in three steps: learn the method, practise tasks by topic, then solve mixed tasks from the practice papers. The mixed tasks show whether you recognise the method when the task does not say which one.
Write down every step from the start, because the exam is written.
Weeks 4 to 6: Probability Theory and Growth and Decay
You can try the topic Probability Theory in the trainer without an account. It covers the binomial distribution, the normal distribution and conditional probability; the normal distribution came up at all 8 sittings we analysed. Growth and decay are shorter: exponential growth, decay and half-life.
Weeks 7 to 9: Trigonometry and Vector Calculus
Trigonometry covers the law of sines, the law of cosines and application tasks, and the law of sines came up at 7 of 8 sittings. Vector calculus is about lines, planes, distances, angles, circumcircles and mirror points. Draw a sketch for every task before you calculate.
Weeks 10 to 12: whole papers against the clock
Now take whole papers in 180 minutes, with a calculator (TI 30 X II S, TI 30 X II B, TI 30 X a, TI 30 ECO RS) and the formula collection. Every practice paper has worked solutions. In the trainer, the mock exam runs 180 minutes on the clock, with tasks from all five topic areas. Afterwards, work on your weakest spot.
With or without the course, and what it costs
You can take the exam without attending the course. You are admitted if you have a place at a Graz university and have to take the exam. The fee is 66 euros per exam. The plan on this page works with or without the course.
The practice papers, the theory and the topic Probability Theory are free without an account. To practise on all of the material, the trainer has 630 tasks with worked solutions and 21 theory articles, as a subscription at €39 a month or an exam pass at €79 for 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Are the practice papers enough on their own for the EPM in Graz?
For judging your level, yes; as your only preparation, usually not. The practice papers on VWUPass show the format, the level and the topics, each with a worked solution and open to everyone. They do not check your answers. The trainer does that: tasks by topic with your answer checked and a worked solution, your weakest spot on the overview, and a timed mock exam.
How do I start preparing for the EPM in Graz?
First take a practice paper in 180 minutes and see which topics stay open. Then follow the plan: calculus, probability, growth and decay, trigonometry and vector calculus, and whole papers against the clock at the end. The plan runs over 12 weeks and can be compressed to 8.
How many points do I need to pass the EPM in Graz?
The VGUH publishes no points threshold for mathematics, so we do not name one. The rules of the Vienna EPM do not apply in Graz. All that is certain: the more tasks you solve completely and traceably, the better.
What may I bring to the VGUH maths exam?
Allowed are calculators of the TI 30 series, namely TI 30 X II S, TI 30 X II B, TI 30 X a, TI 30 ECO RS, and the official AHS formula collection. Practise with exactly these aids from the start.
How often can I retake the EPM in Graz, and what does it cost?
A failed exam may be repeated up to 3 times. The fee is 66 euros per exam. According to the registration sheet for the 2nd sitting of winter semester 2026/27, a sitting counts as an attempt if you do not withdraw up to 5 working days before or do not show up, and the fee is not refunded. The current sittings are on the VGUH page.
Is the EPM in Graz different from the Vienna EPM?
Yes. In Graz the maths exam is a written part only (180 minutes), the fee is 66 euros and no points threshold is published. In Vienna an oral exam follows once the written one is passed, and the fee is 70 euros. So work with the papers and rules of the place where you sit the exam.
Do I have to attend the VGUH course to take the EPM?
No, the exam is possible without attending the course. Enrolment at the university through the VGUH, however, is possible only with course attendance. What you need is a place at a Graz university that prescribes the exam. The plan on this page works in both cases.