Pupil/Students assessment

The cantons are responsible for regulating pupil assessment (Schülerbeurteilung) at baccalaureate schools and upper secondary specialised schools. Assessment is guided by the learning objectives defined in the curriculum. Teachers are responsible for pupil assessment and based on the learning objectives they specify which objectives pupils should achieve. Assessment comprises full marks and half marks from 1 to 6 (6 = very good, 4 = sufficient, below 4 = insufficient). A report is issued at the end of each semester or school year; this decides whether pupils transfer to the next grade. Learning reports are rarely used. Social conduct and attitude to work may be assessed.

Progression of pupils/students

The cantons are responsible for regulating transfer to the next grade or semester and for the conditions for repeating a grade. At the end of a semester or the school year pupils receive a report which decides on their transfer to the next grade.

In almost all cantons the teaching staff/the teachers’ meeting (in some cases special progression meetings) is consulted in the decision on transfer to the next-level or grade (Promotion), often together with the school administration. In most cantons the teachers’ meeting (in some cases special progression meetings) or school administration is responsible for the final decision on transfer to the next grade.

Certification

Baccalaureate schools

At the end of the baccalaureate programme, pupils sit a written baccalaureate examination in at least five baccalaureate subjects; this may be supplemented by an oral examination. The examination subjects are the first language, a second national language, mathematics, the specialised subject and one more subject. The teachers are responsible for preparing the examinations.

The final grades include the examination results, the grades awarded in the annual school reports for the examination subjects and the subjects which are not examined, and the grade for the baccalaureate essay.

The baccalaureate essay is a comprehensive, independently prepared paper which pupils write and present. It is usually prepared in the second-last or last year of the baccalaureate programme.

Assessment in the baccalaureate subjects comprises full marks and half marks from 1 to 6. 

The Ordinance of the Confederation or the equivalent EDK regulation on the recognition of baccalaureates (MAV/MAR) governs the conditions for awarding a pass. The baccalaureate is awarded if twice the sum of all baccalaureate subjects marked grade 4 or below is not higher than the sum of all baccalaureate subjects marked grade 4 or above. In addition, not more than four grades may be lower than 4 (“insufficient” grades).

The programme leads to a federally recognised cantonal baccalaureate, which entitles holders to enter cantonal universities, federal institutes of technology (FIT) and universities of teacher education. 

For admission to universities of applied sciences, holders of a baccalaureate must also be able to demonstrate at least one year of work experience.  

Upper secondary specialised school

At upper secondary specialised schools, the programme ends with a final examination. At least six subjects are tested, of which at least one, or no more than two, subjects must be related to a particular occupational field. Depending on the subject, the examination is either oral or written, or both oral and written. The teachers are responsible for preparing the examinations. The examination results, the annual grades in the examination subjects and in the subjects, which are not examined all count towards the final grade.

Assessment comprises full marks and half marks from 1 to 6. The Regulation on the Recognition of Certificates from Upper Secondary Specialised Schools governs the conditions for awarding a pass: the upper secondary specialised school programme is successfully completed if the average of all specialised subject grades is at least 4.0 and, in addition, not more than three specialised subject grades are below 4 (“insufficient” grades) and the sum of all grades lower than 4.0 is not more than 2.0 grade points.

The programme leads to a nationally recognised upper secondary specialised school certificate. This entitles holders to enter specified courses at colleges of higher education.

For holders of an upper secondary specialised school certificate, admission to study courses at universities of teacher education is possible only if they can prove, through a supplementary examination (Ergänzungsprüfung), that they have an adequate general education. Different educational institutions (e.g. baccalaureate schools for adults, universities of teacher education) offer one-year courses for preparation for these examinations. The preparation can also be carried out through self-learning. Evidence of an adequate general education can also be provided through a supplementary examination (“Passerelle” aptitude test).  

Specialised baccalaureate

Depending on the chosen occupational field, specific additional requirements (including internships, practical individual activities, supplementary general education) must be met. The upper secondary specialised schools are responsible for monitoring and validating these requirements in conjunction with the institutions where these additional skills are taught. Pupils obtain the specialised baccalaureate if the additional requirements and the baccalaureate essay are assessed with a grade of at least “sufficient”.

Pupils completing this additional one-year programme are awarded a nationally recognised specialised baccalaureate.
This basically entitles them to enter specified courses of study at universities of applied sciences.

On successful completion of the supplementary examination (“Passerelle” aptitude test), individuals with a specialised baccalaureate also obtain admission to universities and to universities of teacher education.

The supplementary examination is offered by the Swiss Baccalaureate Examination Commission (SMK) and organised by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The examinations take place twice a year in the three language regions. The examination procedure and the contents of the examination are regulated by the ordinance on the supplementary examination (Verordnung über die Ergänzungsprüfung) and in guidelines. The examinations test the first national language, a second national language or English, mathematics, natural science subjects, and humanities and social science subjects.

The method of preparation for the supplementary examination can be chosen freely. It may be carried out through self-learning or through attendance of a one-year course offered by private or state-run schools.

For holders of a specialised baccalaureate (except for the specialised baccalaureate in education) admission to study courses at universities of teacher education is possible only if they can prove, through a supplementary examination (Ergänzungsprüfung), that they have an adequate general education. Different educational institutions (e.g. baccalaureate schools for adults, universities of teacher education) offer one-year courses for preparation for these examinations. The preparation can also be carried out through self-learning. Evidence of an adequate general education can also be provided through a supplementary examination (“Passerelle” aptitude test).

Adults can catch up on the training programmes offered by baccalaureate schools and upper secondary specialised schools.