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What grades do I need at grammar school to pass the probationary period?

If you want to pass the probationary period at grammar school, you need sufficient grades. We have listed below the exact grades required to pass for the cantons of Zurich and Aargau. 

First, however, we explain the significance of the grammar school probationary period in Switzerland and how long it lasts, and then we list the grades required to pass. 

Finally, we will address other questions relating to the grammar school probationary period, such as how to best prepare for it, what tutoring options are available, and what to do if you do not pass the grammar school probationary period.  

Here you will find suitable grammar school probationary period preparation courses

 

Table of contents

 

What does probationary period mean in Swiss grammar schools?

In Switzerland, when people talk about a probationary period at grammar school, they usually mean a period of several months at grammar school that you have to pass in order to be definitively accepted at the school.   

However, not all cantons require you to complete such a probationary period at grammar school, or at least not under all circumstances. In the canton of Aargau, for example, the grammar school probationary period does not apply if, at the end of the last district school class, you have achieved a grade point average of at least 4.7 in the subjects relevant for transfer and at least a grade of 4.0 in the core subjects of mathematics and German.  

Under certain circumstances, however, a probationary period at grammar school is also required in the canton of Aargau, namely if you do not achieve the necessary grades for definitive admission to grammar school at the end of the last district school class. However, for provisional admission to grammar school in the first semester of the last district school class, pupils must achieve a grade point average of at least 4.7 in the subjects relevant for transfer and at least a grade of 4.0 in the core subjects of mathematics and German.  

In the canton of Zurich, on the other hand, the grammar school probationary period must always be completed, both at the long grammar school and at the short grammar school. So if you definitely want to be admitted to a grammar school in Zurich, you must first pass the grammar school probationary period.

Roughly speaking, a probationary period exists in those cantons where pupils must take an entrance examination to attend grammar school, for example in the cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau and St. Gallen. Even cantons with mixed systems, which allow access to grammar school with or without an entrance examination, usually have a probationary period in one form or another, such as the cantons of Aargau and Solothurn.  

But even in cantons where there is no entrance examination for grammar school, such as Basel-Landschaft, there may be a probationary period at grammar school.

 

How long does the probationary period last in Swiss grammar schools?

As a rule, the probationary period at grammar schools in Switzerland lasts one semester (six months), for example in the cantons of Zurich, Thurgau, St. Gallen, Aargau and Solothurn.  

However, there are also special cases, such as in the canton of Schaffhausen, where the probationary period may last a maximum of one semester, but may also end earlier, as the probationary period is divided into two phases: those who do not pass the first phase must leave grammar school early, i.e. before the end of the first semester.

 

What grades do I need to pass the probationary period at grammar school?

The grades required to pass the probationary period at grammar school depend on the canton in question. Here are some examples of the grades required for the probationary period in the cantons of Zurich and Aargau:

 

Grammar school probationary period grades in the canton of Zurich

The grades required in the canton of Zurich to pass the probationary period and thus be definitively admitted to grammar school are set out in Sections 8 and 57 of the VAM and Section 13b(2) of the admission regulations in conjunction with the ‘Promotion Regulations for Grammar Schools in the Canton of Zurich’. The latter states in Section 9:  

"The conditions for promotion are met if, in all promotion subjects taught in the relevant reporting period,  
a. the double sum of all grade deviations of 4 downwards is not greater than the sum of all grade deviations of 4 upwards, and  
b. no more than three grades below 4 are awarded."  

It follows from the unequal sum rule in letter a that the poor grades carry more weight than the good grades. The idea behind this is that a single very good grade cannot compensate for several poor grades. In any case, only three grades below 4 are permitted, as follows from letter b.

The subjects offered during the trial period at long-term grammar schools in the canton of Zurich are: 

  • German, French, English, Latin, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, history, geography, art and music, provided that these subjects are taught during the relevant reporting period. 
  • If art and music are taught simultaneously in the basic subject, the rounded average of both grades counts. If the average is a quarter grade, it must be rounded up to the nearest whole or half grade.  

The subjects for promotion during the trial period at short-term grammar schools in the canton of Zurich are: 

  • The basic subjects in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Council and the EDK on the recognition of grammar school leaving certificates of 16 January / 15 February 1995, as well as the subjects of computer science and introduction to economics and law, provided that these subjects are taught during the relevant reporting period 
  • If art and music are taught simultaneously in the basic subject, the rounded average of both grades counts. If the average is a quarter grade, it must be rounded up to the nearest whole or half grade.

 

Grammar school probationary period grades in the canton of Aargau

The grammar school probationary period grades required in the canton of Aargau to pass the probation period and thus be definitively accepted to the grammar school are specified in the "Regulation on Promotion and Maturity at Secondary Schools (Maturity Regulation)". Article 6 states:  

"After the probation period, students are definitively accepted or, at the end of the school year, promoted to the next higher class if in the subjects of promotion
a) twice the sum of all grade deviations below 4 is not greater than the sum of all grade deviations above 4 and
b) no more than 4 grades, or in the case of pupils in the course for competitive athletes no more than 3 grades below 4, were achieved.”

The subjects for the grammar school probationary period in the canton of Aargau are: 

  • The basic subjects or subject areas of German, French, English, mathematics, visual arts or music (with instrumental instruction), chemistry, biology, history, geography, informatics and the specialised subject

 

What other rules apply during the probationary period at grammar school?

Generally speaking, the same rules apply during the probationary period at the grammar school as at any other time. However, there may be deviations from the normal rules of the grammar school during the probationary period, which may be laid down in regulations of the canton or the respective cantonal school.

 

Grammar school probationary period preparation and tutoring

Are there any tutoring options for students during the grammar school probationary period? Yes, there are both before and during the grammar school probationary period. On the one hand, you can attend preliminary courses as a grammar school probationary period preparation. On the other hand, you can also attend tutoring courses that accompany the probationary period.   

Passing the Gymnasium Trial Period – How Your Child Can Succeed    

Read our article "How to pass the grammar school probationary period - this is how your child can succeed".

 

Which private tutoring institutes specialise in grammar school probationary periods?

There are various private tutoring institutions that offer courses before and during the grammar school probationary period, including the Lern-Forum tutoring institute in the canton of Zurich in particular. The Lern-Forum offers grammar school probationary period preparatory courses in Zurich during the summer holidays, i.e. before the grammar school probationary period begins, as well as grammar school probationary period support courses that take place during the probationary period, as well as courses that run parallel to school during the regular school year and as holiday courses during the autumn holidays.  

And how do I sign up for a grammar school probationary period tutoring provider? To sign up for a preliminary course and/or a course to support you during the probationary period, simply click on the following button and you will be taken to a page that lists the various courses:  

Grammar school probationary period preparatory courses

 

Failed the grammar school probationary period – what now?

If you have not passed the probationary period at a grammar school in the canton of Aargau, you can try again the following year, but you will then have to take and pass the entrance examination, as the qualification for admission to the grammar school without an examination, based on the relevant average grade from the district school, only entitles you to enter the grammar school once.  

If you have not passed the probationary period at a long-term grammar school in the canton of Zurich and still want to pursue your dream of attending a grammar school, you can switch to a short-term grammar school after completing the 2nd or 3rd secondary school class, provided you pass the central entrance examination (ZAP). However, if you pass the short-term grammar school examination, you will also have to pass the probationary period at the short-term grammar school.  

Also read our article «Gymi probationary period at the long-term Gymnasium in Zurich even harder than Gymi exam».

Students who have not passed the probationary period at a short-term grammar school in Zurich can repeat the grammar school probationary period, but will then have to pass the central entrance examination for the short-term grammar school again.   

If you have exhausted all your options at the state-run grammar schools, you may still be admitted to a private grammar school if you meet the admission requirements. However, private grammar schools are usually subject to a fee.  

Start preparing for the grammar school probationary period now

 

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