NEPS is a longitudinal, multi-cohort study investigating the development of competencies and educational trajectories of individuals in Germany. NEPS SC3 Grade 5 focuses on students in Grade 5 and their pathway through lower secondary education. The study recruited two populations of students attending fifth grade in German schools in 2010: students at regular schools and students with special educational needs in the area of learning at special needs schools. In wave 1 in 2010, data were collected from approximately 5,700 students, 4,000 parents, 600 teachers, and 200 school principals. In wave 3, between 2012 and 2013, a refreshment sample of around 2,200 seventh-grade students was recruited. Participants were followed up annually until 2022. NEPS will continue under the new title NEPS next, with data collection planned approximately every five years.