The article tackles the notions of capability, competence and gives their characteristics. It analyses the formation of competences through practicing the transfer of knowledge. In the informational sources that reflect the essence of competencebased education, it is noted that competencies are formed through integration activities that present didactic situations in which the student is called to integrate his/her knowledge, skills, abilities. The integration situation refers to a creative thinking, reduces the distance between theory and practice, frames the student’s knowledge in new contexts, highlights the use of different knowledge. The integration situations are designed and initiated by the teacher, who takes into account different factors (the specifics of the study discipline, the complexity of the study subject, the student’s experience, etc.).