BG Zehnergasse InfoHubVWA / ABA — Pre-Scientific Paper
The Pre-Scientific Paper (VWA) — officially called Concluding Paper (ABA) since 2024 — is the first pillar of the standardised school-leaving examination (Matura) at Austrian academic secondary schools (AHS). It demonstrates your ability to independently research and present a topic in a scholarly manner.
Structure & Research Question
Outline, formulating a research question, formatting
✍️Academic Writing
Style, language, dos & don'ts, avoiding plagiarism
📚Citations & Zotero
Reference management, Zotero for Word, AI usage
📄Templates & Tools
Word template, downloads, setup, tips
🎤Presentation & Discussion
Structure, typical questions, assessment, tips
- Pillar 1: Concluding Paper (ABA) — presentation & discussion
- Pillar 2: Written exams — 3 or 4 exams (German, Mathematics, Modern Language mandatory)
- Pillar 3: Oral exams — 2 to 3 exams from topic pools
The system is modular: a negative result in one pillar does not prevent sitting exams in the other pillars. For a failed written exam there is a compensation exam (oral, max. grade: Satisfactory). Each partial exam may be repeated up to 3 times.
More information: matura.gv.at
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Concluding Paper (ABA), formerly VWA |
| Length | Approx. 40,000–60,000 characters (from 2026 no upper limit) |
| Format | Individual work (no teams) |
| Timeline | Year 11 (topic selection) to Year 12 (submission & presentation) |
| Supervision | 1 supervisor (teacher at the school) |
| Submission | End of the 1st week of the 2nd semester in Year 12 |
| Examination | Presentation & discussion (max. 25 min.) |
| Legal basis | SchUG, Examination Regulations AHS (BGBl. II No. 297/2024) |
Three Formats to Choose From
| Format | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Research Paper | Classic written paper using scholarly methodology — gathering, examining and analysing information | Interviews, experiments, surveys, source analysis, lab protocols |
| Design-based Paper | Result of a deliberate creative process + written documentation with background, methodology and reflection | Podcast, video reportage, sports programme, graphic novel, website |
| Artistic Paper | Practical artistic output contextualised within relevant art genres + comparison with similar works and reflection | Composition, sculpture, painting, installation, performance |
Assessment
The overall grade covers the written paper, presentation and discussion. There are 8 competency areas:
| Competency | What is assessed? |
|---|---|
| Self-competence | Time management, independence, adherence to agreements |
| Content & methodology | Subject accuracy, depth, original contribution |
| Information competence | Source selection, critical analysis |
| Language competence | Academic language, grammar, expression |
| Design competence | Layout, formal requirements, formatting |
| Presentation (structure) | Structure, coherence, use of media |
| Expressiveness | Clarity, eloquence |
| Discussion skills | Answering questions, defending the paper |
Important Links & Resources
Legal Sources
- § SchUG, BGBl. Nr. 472/1986 i.d.g.F. — §§ 34–40 (Matura, Concluding Paper)
- § Prüfungsordnung AHS, BGBl. II Nr. 297/2024 — §§ 7–10 (Concluding Paper: topic, process, submission, assessment)
- § BGBl. I Nr. 121/2024 (ABA becomes optional from 2024/25 to 2028/29)
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