What are the main disadvantages of the Gymi exam?

The Gymi exam is the gateway to grammar school for all those who are not admitted without an exam. There are courses for individual support and optimal preparation for the central entrance examination for the long or short-term Gymnasium. Not all cantons conduct an entrance examination for the Gymnasium.

The main disadvantages of the Gymi exam are:

  1. The Gymi exam is a snapshot of a single morning. Children who can concentrate very well for three hours have an advantage. The grammar schools want to know whether someone is prepared to make a special effort. Good preparation pays off in any case. This gives all pupils an extra chance.
  2. Unless it is an extra course to prepare for the Gymi exam during the school vacations, lessons usually take place alongside normal school. This means an additional workload. In return, you receive support in organizing the many revision topics and learning and working techniques.
  3. With languages and mathematics, you have to be broadly based, which can lead to some students being overwhelmed.
  4. Preparation for the Gymi exam is associated with high costs of around CHF 35 to CHF 55 per lesson. Depending on your requirements, this can quickly add up to between CHF 2,500 and CHF 10,000 for the entire preparation. Ask the providers directly about the exact costs. With some providers, the mock or simulation exam is not part of the preparation course, but a separate offer that incurs additional costs.
  5. The Gymiprüfung is only the first step on the way to university. Anyone who is allowed to attend the Gymnasium must then be able to withstand the pressure of regularly taking the relevant examinations.

 

Passing the Gymi exam entitles students to attend a short- or long-term Gymnasium. With the Baccalaureate, which is recognized throughout Switzerland, they have direct access to universities, FITs and Universities of Teacher Education. In combination with subject-specific, mostly practice-oriented supplementary qualifications, they can also study at Universities of Applied Sciences.

Gymi exam provider - Preparation for the grammar school entrance exam