Preparation courses for the Short-Term Gymnasium
from Sekundarschule
Systematic preparation for the Gymnasium entry exam builds self-confidence and increases the chances of success. Attending a specialized gymnasium preparation course is recommended for every pupil who is truly serious about the goal of getting into gymnasium.
What distinguishes our Gymi preparation courses
A Gymi preparation course at Open Learning Space Zurich Seefeld, Zurich Wiedikon or Zurich Oberstrass (kreis 6) optimally prepares your child for the Zurich entry exams for the Kurzzeitgymnasium or the HMS. In particular, they are characterized by:
- Small groups of a maximum of five participants — so that every child can actively participate in the lessons and receive individual support.
- Long lessons of 75 minutes per subject allow for intensive preparation and follow-up of the material.
- Orientation towards the most current Zurich entry exams — so we don’t lose time on low-yield content.
- Focus on practicing exam-relevant task types — because constant practice is the be-all and end-all of exam success.
- Personal and student-oriented atmosphere — a family-like environment prevails at Open Learning Space.
- We offer only a few courses, but we supervise them intensively.
How do the courses work?
The preparation courses for the Kurzzeitgymnasium/HMS start after the summer holidays. A course consists of 20 half-days on Wednesday afternoons, Saturday mornings, or Saturday afternoons, excluding school holidays.
Structure: One lesson each of German and Mathematics lasting 75 minutes takes place per course day.
The first half of the course consists of repeating the school material from the 1st and 2nd Sekundarstufe. Regular intermediate exams are used to determine whether the material is sufficiently understood or whether individual students still need additional practice material. In the second half of the course, exam tasks are practiced intensively and the exam situation is trained.
An integral part of the course are five corrected essays and two simulation exams.
You will receive detailed feedback on your child’s performance and level of knowledge after 5, 10, and 15 course days. In consultation with us, adjustments can be made early on should the need arise.
Which topics are covered in the courses?
Your child will learn all the topics that are tested in the entry exam for the Kurzzeitgymnasium. Among others, these are:
Mathematics: Calculating with quantities, decimals and fractions, direct and indirect proportionality, word problems, and geometry
German: Essay writing, language analysis, parts of speech, grammar, reading comprehension
Excerpts from our course materials can be found in the sidebar as a PDF.
Which materials do we work with?
We have created our own course materials for the subjects German and Mathematics for optimal preparation for the Gymi exam. These are closely oriented towards the question types and tested content of the cantonal Gymi exams from the last ten years. This allows us to use the course time optimally for repeating and practicing exam-relevant content. For the most frequently tested content, we have supplementary materials available from which we can provide additional practice material.
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers have studied the exams intensively and, as a rule, have already led the course in previous years. They are in contact with the pedagogical management, especially when creating feedback for the students.
What requirements should your child meet?
When transferring to the Kurzzeitgymnasium from Sekundarstufe, the preliminary grades in the subjects German, French, English, Mathematics, and Nature and Technology count for 50 percent, and the average of the exam subjects German and Mathematics also counts for 50 percent. The average of the exam grades and the preliminary grades must be at least 4.75 to be admitted to the Kurzzeitgymnasium. However, preliminary grades are only taken into account if the mentioned subjects are attended at Level I. A preliminary grade average of at least 5 is recommended.
Regardless of the preliminary grades, your child must have a strong will to make it to gymnasium and the willingness to invest time and work for this goal. They must be prepared to spend about two hours per week on homework — sometimes a bit more for weaker students.
Every year we are excited anew to see how our protégés approach the task. Our job: to offer each individual the optimal conditions so that he or she makes it to the Kurzzeitgymnasium!