Central entrance examinations for secondary schools in the canton of Zurich

In the canton of Zurich, there are four different central entrance examinations for Zurich secondary schools, some of which apply to several types of secondary schools, namely the following:

ZAP 1: Entrance exam for the long-term grammar school
AP 2: Entrance exam for the short-term grammar school and HMS
ZAP 3: Entrance exam for BMS and FMS
IMS: Entrance exam for IMS

The various entrance exams are normally held once a year, although not all of them take place on the same day.

Are FMS and BMS exams identical?

Section 14 of the “Ordinance on Admission to Maturity Schools following Secondary Education and after Completion of Basic Vocational Training (VAM)” stipulates that FMS and BMS schools must administer the same entrance examination. However, the exams at FMS are graded differently than those at BMS. As stated in § 30 VAM, separate grading scales are created, one for the FMS exam and a different one for the BMS exam. The individual BM 1 courses are also graded independently of each other.

As to the question of whether the BMS or FMS exam is more difficult in light of the different grading scales, it can be said that the FMS exam is graded more strictly than the BMS exam.

Is simultaneous registration for the FMS and BMS exams possible?

If you want to register for the ZAP 3, i.e. the entrance exam for the BMS (BM 1 - BMS during apprenticeship) and FMS, you must decide on a school type when registering. It is not possible to register for the exam at an FMS and a BMS at the same time. This is not possible because the BMS exam and the FMS exam are identical in terms of the tasks and take place on the same day at the same time.

The exam is then taken at a school of the type you chose when you registered.

However, since the FMS exam is graded differently than the BMS exam, if you would prefer to start at the BMS after passing the FMS exam (which is only possible if you have an existing apprenticeship contract) or would prefer to start at the FMS after passing the BMS exam, you must contact the school of your choice to clarify the possibility of a transfer.

According to information from the Secondary School and Vocational Training Office of the Canton of Zurich, the desired school will then check whether the performance achieved in the ZAP exam of the other school type is sufficient for the transfer to the now chosen school type. The assessment scale of the now desired school type is used to check whether the performance achieved corresponds at least to the passing grade. In the case of a transfer from FMS to BMS, it will also be checked whether an apprenticeship contract is in place and, specifically, whether the results achieved in the FMS exam are sufficient for the corresponding BM 1 orientation.

If, on the other hand, you want to switch from the BMS school type to the FMS school type, the FMS grading scale is used to check whether the performance achieved in the BMS exam is sufficient for the switch to the FMS school type.

Attend the FMS preparation course now!

Is it possible to take the short-term grammar exam at the same time?

The Secondary School and Vocational Training Office of the Canton of Zurich states on its website that you can register for a total of three different entrance exams: the FMS/BMS exam (BM 1), the short-term grammar school exam, and/or the HMS exam. In addition, you can also register for the IMS exam.

So the answer is yes, you can take the short-term grammar school exam at the same time as the FMS/BMS exam (BM 1). When you register for the short-term grammar school exam, you can also decide whether you want to keep the option of attending a commercial secondary school (HMS) open. If you have selected the HMS option when registering for the short-term grammar school exam, you can transfer to a short-term grammar school and/or an HMS depending on your overall grade. The minimum grade required to pass the HMS is lower.

Incidentally, according to § 14 of the “Ordinance on Admission to Maturity Schools following Secondary Education and after Completion of Basic Vocational Training (VAM)”, short-term grammar schools and HMS schools also administer the same entrance exam. However, the exams at short-term grammar schools and HMS schools are graded the same. As stated in § 30 VAM, a uniform grading scale applies here.

In 2026, the short-term grammar school/HMS exam (ZAP 2) will take place on March 2, 2026, while the FMS/BMS (BM 1) exam (ZAP 3) will take place on March 4, 2026.

Is the FMS/BMS exam or the short-term grammar school/HMS exam easier?

There is no general answer to the question of whether the FMS/BMS exam or the short-term grammar school/HMS exam is easier. The exam requirements for the FMS/BMS exam are in some cases more extensive than those for the short-term grammar school exam.

On the other hand, the minimum grades required to pass the short-term grammar school exam are higher than those for the FMS exam and the BMS exam.

Prepare for the short-term grammar school exam now!

When do you have to make a decision if you have passed several ZAPs?

If a candidate has taken several ZAPs and passed several of them, they must deregister from the schools they do not wish to attend within the deadline specified in the respective admission decision.

Deregistration must be done using the “Deregister” option in the registration form for the central admission test (ZAP). Alternatively, candidates can also deregister in writing to the school concerned.