Approximately one week after the end of the application period, an entrance examination commission will assess the application portfolios. The commission consists of 3 faculty professors and 2 members of the academic staff with voting rights, and 2 students without the right to vote.

The commission grades the application portfolios into categories: A to E. Applicants who are assigned an A or B can begin their studies in the following winter semester. Applicants who are assigned a C or D have the option of taking part in a clearing procedure. In such cases, when an evaluation by the contents of the portfolio alone is not possible, applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will generally take place from the end of March to the beginning of April.

If students who have been offered a study place do not take it, the HFBK offers a clearing procedure. Students whose portfolios were graded C by the selection commission will be the first to be considered. If more portfolios have been graded C than there are places available, lots will be drawn.