Preparatory courses for grammar school entrance exams (Winterthur):
3 Provider - 6 Training locations

If you would like to send your child to a long-term grammar school after Year 6 or to a short-term grammar school after Year 2 or 3, preparation for the entrance exam usually begins one to two years beforehand. This time can be very challenging for you and your child. The pressure of expectations, uncertainty and many unanswered questions often cause stress and a great deal of psychological strain.

It is therefore worth drawing up a clear and realistic study plan at an early stage. It is best to find out the exact content of the Gymi exam directly from your child's teacher. As soon as you know which topics will be tested, you can include them in the learning plan. Plan repetitions consciously so that what has been learned can be consolidated in the long term.

Make sure that your child gets regular repetition, but not too much. More is not automatically better. Your child still needs time for hobbies, friends and relaxation. Only those who are balanced can concentrate on learning.

Short learning units of around 30 to 45 minutes on three to four days a week are ideal. This keeps learning effective and easy to integrate into everyday life.

If you find that organizing or carrying out the preparation is a heavy burden or you don't want to take on this task yourself, there are many alternatives. Numerous education providers offer preparatory courses for the entrance exam, with different intensities, time models and locations.

Don't forget: in addition to professional preparation, emotional support is also important. Help your child to develop confidence in their own abilities and take away their fear of failure. A calm, positive attitude is often the best companion on the way to the Gymi exam.

Preparation for the Gymi or Kanti entrance exam focuses on the most important school basics and exam strategies. The aim is to make you technically fit and at the same time gain confidence in dealing with exam situations.

Typical contents of the preparation for the Gymi entrance exam are:

• German: grammar, spelling, text comprehension and essay training
• Mathematics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry and logical thinking
• French (depending on the canton): Basic knowledge, vocabulary and grammar
• Reading and analysis skills: Understanding and interpreting texts
• Essay and writing training: structured and correct writing

Training is also often carried out:

• Exam techniques and time management to solve tasks efficiently
• Dealing with stress and nervousness during the exam
• Processing sample tests to get to know the process

Preparation courses or tutoring programs will help you to close any gaps in your knowledge and prepare you optimally for the requirements of the entrance exam.

Conclusion: Preparation for the Gymi exam focuses on German, mathematics and, depending on the region, foreign languages as well as exam strategies. Find out about suitable preparation courses or request non-binding documents to increase your chances of successful admission.

The following aids are permitted for the cantonal school entrance examination:

• Long grammar school
  • the Schülerduden or Duden Volume 1 for the German essay
  • Ruler, compass and protractor for the math exam (calculators are not permitted)
• Short grammar school
  • the Schülerduden or Duden Volume 1 for the German essay
  • a bilingual dictionary for writing the text in French
  • A ruler, compass, protractor and calculator with the requirements specified in the secondary school mathematics teaching materials are permitted for the written mathematics examinations

The grade point average required for the Gymiprüfung varies depending on the canton and examination model, but is usually at least 4.0 (sufficient) or higher. For preparation, a targeted Gymiprüfung preparation course or Gymiprüfung preparation course can help you to better understand and achieve the requirements.

As a rule, the following criteria apply to the grade point average:

• Overall average of at least 4.0 across all examination subjects
• Some additional conditions, e.g. no individual grades too low
• Combination of written and oral examinations
• Weighting of individual subjects varies from canton to canton

A Gymi exam preparation course or Gymi exam preparation course provides targeted support in exam-relevant subjects such as German, mathematics or foreign languages and teaches strategies for the exam situation. Early preparation is also important, as the requirements are demanding and can vary from region to region.

To summarize: The exact grade point average is regulated by the canton, but structured preparation will significantly increase your chances of success. Find out about suitable preparation courses or request further documents without obligation in order to be optimally prepared.

Preparation for the Gymi exam (Kanti exam) is particularly suitable for pupils who want to specifically improve their chances of successful admission. Not only the current level of performance plays a role here, but also motivation and willingness to learn.

Gymi preparation is particularly suitable for:

• High-achieving students who already have good grades and want to prepare themselves optimally
• Motivated students who are prepared to practise regularly and make an effort
• Pupils with knowledge gaps who need targeted support in German, mathematics or French
• Insecure candidates who want to gain more confidence in dealing with exam situations
• Students without experience with entrance exams to get to know the procedure

Children who are basically suitable for grammar school but still have difficulties with time pressure, understanding tasks or structure also benefit greatly from targeted preparation.

Conclusion: Gymi exam preparation is suitable for all motivated students - both to improve performance and to gain confidence in the exam process. Find out about suitable preparation courses or request non-binding documents to be optimally prepared.

No, the regulations for admission and the grammar school entrance exam to be taken beforehand are not standardized throughout Switzerland. In most cantons, previous grades in particular are decisive for the opportunity to take part in an entrance exam, but not in all cantons. In the canton of Thurgau, for example, recommendations from secondary school teachers are regarded as the most important criterion for admission to the exam. This system also offers pupils with lower grades but apparently high potential the opportunity to prove themselves at the Gymnasium. In addition, not all cantons have a grammar school entrance examination after the sixth grade. In the cantons of Nidwalden, Obwalden, Uri, Zug, Schwyz and Lucerne, the experience and opinions of teachers count more than test results.

If the canton in which you live prescribes an entrance examination for entry to the Gymnasium, you must take and pass it in order to be admitted. For more detailed information, examination regulations and rules for the grammar school entrance examination in your canton of residence, please contact the relevant cantonal schools directly.

The grammar school entrance examinations contain both a written and an oral part. The content of the exam varies from canton to canton, so it is not possible to give a uniform answer to this question. In the canton of Zurich, the following parts of the examination were taken in 2026 for admission to grammar school after year 6:

• German (45 minutes): Text comprehension and language observation (grammar)
• German (60 minutes): Writing an essay
• Mathematics (60 minutes): Arithmetic, algebra and geometry

For the short-term grammar school, the following "grammar school entrance examination" contents applied:

• Mathematics (90 minutes): Arithmetic, algebra and geometry
• German (45 minutes): Text comprehension and language observation
• German (90 minutes): Writing an essay

A certificate from the 6th primary school class (fall semester) is required for admission to the central entrance examination for the Langgymnasium. Anyone who turns 15 after April 30 of the year of entry can register for the exam. The written examinations take place at the beginning of March. A report from the 2nd secondary school class in the fall semester or the 3rd secondary school class in the fall semester is required for the central entrance examination for the short grammar school, which also takes place at the beginning of March. Anyone who turns 17 after April 30 of the year of entry can apply. To be on the safe side, ask your canton about the applicable conditions.