A-level exams: Everything you need to know about the process and the papers
Whilst, historically, maturity is obtained by gymnasium (or secondary school cantonal), many candidates are now opting for the open pathway. This course presents an intellectual challenge that assesses your level of knowledge. In fact, the’The Swiss Maturité examination enables to access directly the universities and polytechnics, but also to the teacher training colleges or to the universities of applied sciences (HES). The entire organisation falls under the remit of the the Swiss Commission’s responsibility as part of their A-levels, under the supervision of the State Secretariat for Training. Here are the instructions for to reach maturity available in Switzerland.
Enrolment, admission and entry requirements
For the’admission, the State Secretariat (the SEFRI) requires the applicant to be in the year in which they turn 18. Unlike a sixth-form college classic or cantonal school-leaving certificate managed by the cantons (such as the Canton of Vaud or the Canton of Geneva), this federal examination is aimed at a wide range of people.
It is open to independent candidates and to those currently enrolled in private school, but also to holders of a Federal Certificate of Competence (CFC) or a vocational baccalaureate and specialised baccalaureate who do not wish to go through the’supplementary bridging examination. Please note that the federal school-leaving examinations are held twice a year, spread across the three language regions of the country.
Organisation of the exam sessions: the choice of the two mid-term exams
Rather than spending the’comprehensive review in one go; the majority of students choose to spread their efforts over two mid-terms (often several months apart). The secretariat of the Swiss Maturité Commission (CSM) strictly regulates these two stages.
1. The first session (Fundamentals and Sciences)
This stage assesses core subjects requiring a strong memory. It comprises:
- Experimental sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
- Humanities: History, Geography.
- The visual arts or music.
2- The second session (The core curriculum)
This final session covers the first language (French or German, depending on your region), the second national language, English and Mathematics. It is also during this session that students are assessed on their specific option as well as his additional option. Finally, he will have to defend his personal research project (the famous school-leaving project).
Exam format and admission to universities of applied sciences
The assessment is based on three pillars : written and oral exams, and the research work. The written exams involve essay writing and problem-solving. The oral exams last around 15 minutes and assess the student’s verbal fluency.
The standard of quality guaranteed by the Confederation ensures that this Maturity enables people to graduates to have the necessary skills to join the universities of their choice, including the prestigious Federal Institutes of Technology (such as that of Lausanne or Zurich).
Grading and Award of the School Leaving Certificate
In Switzerland, marks range from 1 (very poor) to 6 (excellent), with a mark of 4 being a pass. To pass your school-leaving certificate (which has exactly the same value as a A-levels), the weighted total of all marks must reach a specific threshold set by SERI, with very limited leeway for marks that are below the required standard.
Succeed in your exam preparation with our course
The key to success lies not only in knowledge, but in training under real-world conditions. That is why the NCAcademy places simulation at the heart of its sector support. The exam preparation includes regular mock exams marked by experts. This helps students prepare for the actual exams and finalise their school leaving certificate with absolute confidence.
