Catching Up on the Latinum in 2026 — An Overview of All Options
Earning the Latinum is mandatory for many students and professionals: theology, philosophy, history, classical philology—numerous degree programs require proof of Latin proficiency as an admission requirement. Those who did not complete a Latin course in high school can catch up on the Latinum retroactively by taking a supplementary exam.
This guide shows you the different paths to earning the Latinum, how long you realistically need to study, what the Latinum exam specifically requires—and how to structure your preparation with the right app.
- Small vs. Large Latinum—What You Really Need for Your Studies
- The 4 Paths to the Supplementary Latin Exam with Realistic Study Times
- What’s Covered in the Written and Oral Parts of the Exam
- How to specifically practice grammar, verb forms, and vocabulary for the exam
How long does it take to earn the Latinum?
Depending on the study path, catching up on the Latinum takes 4 weeks to 12 months. An intensive course prepares you for the exam in 4–6 weeks of full-time study. A distance learning course (e.g., SGD or ILS) takes about 10 months at 10 hours per week. At the university, it usually takes two semesters to complete the course alongside your studies. A high school diploma is generally required to take the supplementary exam.
More blog posts on this topic:
The 4 Paths to the Latinum — with Realistic Study Times
There is no single “right” way to earn a Latin certification. Which path is right for you depends on your time availability, budget, and starting point:
| Path | Study Time | Cost (approx.) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Course (In-Person) | 4–6 weeks (full-time) | €800–2,000 | Fastest option if you have the time |
| Distance learning course (SGD, ILS) | 10 months (approx. 10 hours/week) | 600–1,200 € | Working professionals with regular study time |
| University language course | 2 semesters (concurrent with studies) | Low to free | Students who are already enrolled |
| Adult education center (VHS) / private tutor | 12–18 months | Highly variable | More flexible, but slower progress |
Small vs. Large Latinum: The Small Latinum is earned through at least 4 years of Latin in school and is sufficient for some teacher training programs. For theology, classical philology, and many humanities programs, the “Großes Latinum” is required—that is, passing a supplementary exam. If in doubt, always check the examination regulations for your intended degree program.
💡 Tip for self-study: Self-study works—but only with a set daily schedule. “When I have time” is not a plan. Rule of thumb: at least 45 minutes a day, over 12–18 months. If you structure your study using the sentence quiz and the grammar trainer, you’ll be well prepared.
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
What is covered on the Latinum exam?
The supplementary exam is structured similarly nationwide. The requirements in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria serve as a reference:
| Exam Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Written | Translate an unknown Latin text (~180 words) | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Oral | Translate a text (~50 words) + answer grammar questions | 15–30 min preparation + 15–30 min exam interview |
| Kleines Latinum (NRW) | Shorter text (~120 words) | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
Passing requirement: Overall grade of at least “sufficient”—no part of the exam may be graded “unsatisfactory.” Complete regulations (KMK resolution): Wikipedia: Latinum — Legal Basis.
💡 Tip for the exam: You have 180 minutes for ~180 words—that’s 1 minute per word, but you also need to understand the grammatical structures clearly. If you can’t confidently identify verb forms, you’ll lose valuable minutes. Therefore: practice daily with the verb form trainer until declensions and conjugations come automatically.
What specifically needs to be practiced:
| Exam Topic | What is tested? | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | ~1,000–1,500 most common Latin words (Caesar/Cicero vocabulary) | Daily spaced repetition; exam-relevant lists in the vocabulary trainer |
| Grammar / Forms | Actively name and form all declension and conjugation forms | Form trainer: input, not recognition |
| Constructions | ACI, NCI, ablative absolute, PPP, gerund, subjunctive in subordinate clauses | Sentence quiz sections 7–13 in Lapicida |
| Reading / Translation | Unknown text ~180 words (written) / ~50 words (oral) | Translate original texts daily under time pressure |
💡 Key strategy tip: The exam isn’t a knowledge test—it’s a translation test. Vocabulary without grammar isn’t very helpful. Neither is grammar without vocabulary. Only when you’ve mastered both can you successfully interpret unknown texts—and that’s exactly the goal.
Lapicida Latinus — trains you in exactly what’s tested on the Latinum exam
Structuring your Latinum preparation—here’s how Lapicida helps
No course can replace active practice. The key question isn’t just which course you sign up for—it’s how you use your study time between classes. Studies show: Active recall leads to ~80% retention after one week, while passive rereading leads to only ~34% (Roediger & Karpicke, Psychological Science, 2006).
Lapicida follows a structured learning path tailored precisely to the requirements of the supplementary exam:
- Form Trainer: Systematically covers all declensions of nouns and adjectives (a/o-declension first, then the 3rd–5th declensions). Actively entering forms, not just recognizing them—exactly what is required in the oral portion of the exam.
- Verb Form Trainer: Standard conjugations in the present tense, then perfect, imperfect, future, passive, and participles—step by step.
- Sentence Quiz (Simple): Identify the subject and predicate in a sentence. Present tense only. Build an understanding of grammar, not just memorize forms.
- Sentence Quiz (Advanced): Add objects, then subordinate clauses, ACI, ablative absolute—exactly the constructions that appear on the Latinum exam.
- Reading: Original texts by Caesar, Cicero, and Sallust with direct vocabulary support. Translate authentic texts—exactly what the written exam requires.
- Vocabulary for Reading: 11,000+ entries with part of speech, gender, and conjugation information. Spaced repetition highlights weak words more frequently.
Lapicida isn’t a substitute for a course, but it’s the best tool you can use to complement any learning path—for €19.99/year: less than the cost of one lesson with a private tutor.
All learning materials, grammar topics, and trainers at a glance: Learn Latin with Lapicida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retaking the Latinum
Can I earn the Latinum without any prior knowledge of Latin?
Yes—the supplementary exam does not require any prior knowledge of Latin, only a high school diploma. However, those starting from scratch will need more time: intensive courses often require basic knowledge. A 10-month distance learning course is the more realistic option for beginners with no prior knowledge.
Which degree programs require the Latinum?
Theology (Catholic and Protestant), Classical Philology, History (at many universities), Philosophy, Archaeology, and some teacher training programs require the “Großes Latinum.” Law and medicine no longer require it in Germany. If in doubt, always check the admission requirements of your target university.
What is the difference between the “Kleines Latinum” and the “Großes Latinum”?
The “Kleines Latinum” is earned by studying Latin in school for at least 4 years (not as an Abitur exam subject). The “Großes Latinum” requires either Latin as an Abitur subject or passing a supplementary exam. The “Großes Latinum” is required for most degree programs that mandate Latin.
How many vocabulary words do I need to learn for the Latinum?
Depending on the federal state and the examination regulations, you can expect to need about 1,000–1,500 vocabulary words. In practice, a solid basic vocabulary covering the most common texts by Caesar and Cicero is sufficient. Lapicida includes all exam-relevant vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Can I earn the Latinum entirely through self-study?
Theoretically, yes—but most people only pass the exam with guidance. Recommendation: Enroll in a distance learning program or intensive course to provide a structured foundation, and use Lapicida for daily practice of vocabulary, verb forms, and text comprehension.
When are the supplementary exams held?
Depending on the state, 1–2 times a year, usually in the spring (March/April) and fall (September/October). You can find out the exact dates and registration deadlines from the relevant district government or your state’s Department of Education.
Pass the Latinum — with structured training
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
