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Guidelines for the Gymi-Examination 2014 in the canton of Zurich

(Status as of July/10/2013)

We are looking forward to your questions and suggestions. LearningCulture 2013, www.learningculture.ch
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Table of Contents
1 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GYMI-EXAMINATION

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3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8

1.1 WHAT IS THE GYMI-EXAMINATION? 1.2 HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE GYMNASIUM? 1.3 WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERING FOR THE GYMI-EXAMINATION? 1.4 HOW DOES REGISTRATION WORK? 1.5 WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR REGISTRATION? 1.6 WHEN IS THE EXAMINATION? 1.7 WHERE IS THE EXAMINATION? 1.8 WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE EXAMINATION? 1.9 WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF ILLNESS? 1.10 HOW IS THE FINAL GRADE CALCULATED AND WHAT IS THE PASSING GRADE? 1.11 WHEN WILL THE RESULTS BE PUBLISHED? 1.12 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXAMINATION? 2 TIPS ON PREPARING FOR THE GYMI-EXAMINATION 2.1 WHEN SHOULD PREPARATION TAKE PLACE? 2.2 HOW SHOULD PREPARATION TAKE PLACE? 2.3 HOW TO GET ACCESS TO PAST EXAMINATION PAPERS? 3 MASTER THE EXAMINATION WITH LEARNINGCULTURE

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1 General Information about the Gymi-Examination

1.1 What is the Gymi-Examination?

Pupils in the canton of Zurich can take a centralized examination granting access to grammar schools in Zurich. There are two kinds of Gymi-Examinations(see figure below): Gymi-Examination in year 6 of primary school grants access to the first grade of the 6year Langgymnasium (if necessary the examination can be taken in fifth grade). Gymi-Examination for attending a Kurzgymnasium takes places depending on your preference - in year 2 or 3 of secondary level I (section A) and grants access to the first grade of the 4-year Kurzgymnasium1 .

1.2

How do you choose the Gymnasium?

In general you are free to choose any Gymnasium. However, capacities of each Gymnasium are limited. When limits are reached, you will be assigned to another Gymnasium according to certain criteria (e.g. distance to school). Not every Gymnasium offers all kinds of opportunities for specialization. There are schools placing emphasis on languages, bilingualism or mathematics and natural sciences, to name just a few examples. Thus, the choice of school affects subsequent options for major and minor subjects. Every Gymnasium will organise orientation programmes for parents and prospective pupils at the end of 2013. The dates of the orientation programmes will be published in the September 2013 edition of the Schulblatt des Kantons Zrich. Further information: School magazine (Schulblatt) with dates of orientation programmes: www.bi.zh.ch/internet/bildungsdirektion/de/aktuell/schulblatt.html Overview of types of schools: www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch/die-verschiedenenschultypen.html

With a duration of 5 years, arts and sports Gymnasien and the Liceo Artistico are an exception.
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Profiles of schools: www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch/schulen-und-ihreprofiletypen.html Informative brochure on secondary schools: www.mba.zh.ch/internet/bildungsdirektion/mba/de/maturitaetsschulen/kantonale_mittels chulen.html

1.3

What are the requirements for registering for the Gymi-Examination?

Registration is possible for all pupils in primary school (Langgymnasium) and section A of secondary level I (Kurzgymnasium).

1.4

How does registration work?

Registration for the Gymi-Examination can be performed in two ways: By mail using an application form (documents can be obtained from school secretaries or at orientation programmes of a Gymnasium) Online via www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch

1.5

What are the deadlines for registration?

The deadlines are as follows: Kurz- and Langgymnasium: November 15, 2013 till February 10, 2014 Art- and Sports-Gymnasium: November 15, 2013 till January 15, 2014 Information technology secondary school: September 1, 2013 till September 30, 2014.

1.6

When is the examination?

Langgymnasium Examination Written examination Oral examination Kurzgymnasium Examination Written examination Oral examination Date March 10/11, 2014 March 26, 2014 (Preliminary date!) Date March 10, 2014 Stopped since March 2013

1.7

Where is the examination?

The examination takes place at your Gymnasium of choice.

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1.8 What is the extent of the examination?

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Langgymnasium Examination subject Examination topics Written examination Mathematics Arithmetic, algebra and geometry German Essay Text comprehension and language observation Kurzgymnasium Examination subject Examination topics Duration Written examination Mathematics Arithmetic, algebra and geometry 90 minutes German Composing a text 90 minutes Text comprehension and language observation 45 minutes French Text comprehension, writing and language 90 minutes observation Oral examination (only applicable if average of examination grade and performance grade < than 4,25) Mathematics Individual 15 minutes German Individual 15 minutes French Individual 15 minutes Duration 60 minutes 60 minutes 45 minutes

1.9

What happens in case of illness?

If the pupil is ill an official attestation by a doctor (Arztzeugnis) is neccesary and the notification of the school secretary. Afterwards the examination can be repeated. If the examination is once attended illness cannot be quoted in case of a negative result.

1.10

How is the final grade calculated and what is the passing grade?

For passing the examination both the examination grade and grades in the examination subjects from the last report (performance grade) are relevant. The calculation of the final passing grade is shown in the following figure.

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1.11

When will the results be published?

Usually, the results will be published online on www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch, 2-3 weeks after the examination.

1.12

What happens after the examination?

In general, temporary admission is granted for one term. After this probationary period ultimate admission will be discussed. If - after the probationary period - the decision is negative, then the following rules apply: Langgymnasium: Promotion to 1. Sek A Kurzgymnasium: o Examination in year 2 of Sek I: Promotion to 3. Sek o Examination in year 3 of Sek II: regular schooling is over and e.g. another school year can be completed.
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Even if the examination was not passed in year 6 of primary school or in the probationary period at Langgymnasium, pupils can take the examination again in year 2 or 3 of Sek I. The same applies to year 2 of Sek I: If the examination has not been passed, it can be taken again in year 3 of Sek I.

2 Tips on preparing for the Gymi-Examination

2.1 When should preparation take place?

Since for passing the Gymi-Examination not only the grades in the actual examination are relevant but to the same extent also the last grades in school (performance grade) early preparation is crucial. Preparation should begin at least half a year prior to the Gymi-Examination. Generally speaking: the earlier, the better.

2.2

How should preparation take place?

A systematic preparation for the Gymi-Examination helps to avoid unnecessary stress before the examination. The following method has proven helpful: 1. Creating an overview of examination topics in the individual subjects. The following sources show, which topics are tested: a. Curriculum of Zurich Volksschulen and teaching materials used there: www.vsa.zh.ch/internet/bildungsdirektion/vsa/de/schulbetrieb_und_unterricht/faeche r_lehrplaene_lehrmittel0.html b. Examination requirements/ follow-up programme for the Gymi-Examination: www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch/reglemente.html 2. Checking the material for completeness and organizing it (e.g. teaching material, former test and Gymi-Examinations, practice sheets): a. Creating a folder for each subject b. Creating index cards for the individual topics and filing the material accordingly 3. Developing a schedule for the individual subjects: a. The examination date minus 4 weeks (time buffer) marks the end of the schedule. b. For each topic estimate the time needed (depending on your knowledge). Parents, schoolteachers and private teachers can help you. c. When you know how much time is needed and how much time is available each week, it becomes obvious, when preparation has to start, in order to master all topics in time for the examination.

d. Put up the schedule, where it can be seen and where it wont be forgotten. e. On a regular basis, check whether you are still on schedule.
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4. Always write down questions and uncertainties coming up during the preparation. Discuss questions left open with parents, classmates, schoolteachers or private teachers. 5. Practice the examination situation (equal duration, no external help) using former GymiExaminations! Follow-up links: Large collection of tips: macfunktion.ch/pruefung/index.shtml

2.3

How to get access to past examination papers?

Find various examination questions of recent years for Kurz- und Langgymnasium online on: http://www.zentraleaufnahmepruefung.ch/

or printed at: Langgymnasium: Verlag ZKM (www.verlagzkm.ch) o Aufnahmeprfungen Deutsch o Aufnahmeprfungen Mathematik Kurzgymnasium: Verlag SekZH (www.shop-sekzh.ch) o Prfungsvorbereitung Deutsch Franzsisch Englisch o Prfungsvorbereitung Mathematik

3 Master the examination with LearningCulture

We offer individual preparation for the Gymi-Examination at the pupils home: Experienced teachers support on a one-on-one basis in German, French and Mathematics. First, the individual situation is reviewed and a distinct preparation schedule is developed. In the course of the lessons learning success is checked regularly and motivation and learning techniques are taught. Towards the end of preparation examinations will be simulated under real-life conditions. Since tuition on a one-on-one basis addresses the pupils needs more fully, experience shows that fewer lessons will be needed than in group tuition. Shy pupils are often afraid to ask questions in group tuition. Our teachers approach children and adolescents with much patience and empathy. Thus, a positive, anxiety-free learning atmosphere is created which is the foundation for successful learning. More on: www.learningculture.ch

Sources:

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www.mba.zh.ch/internet/bildungsdirektion/mba/de/maturitaetsschulen/zentrale_aufnahm epruefung.html www.vsa.zh.ch/internet/bildungsdirektion/vsa/de/schulbetrieb_und_unterricht/faecher_le hrplaene_lehrmittel0.html Reglement fr die Aufnahme in die Gymnasien mit Anschluss an die 6. Klasse der Primarschule (letzte nderung: August 2012) Reglement fr die Aufnahme in die Gymnasien mit Anschluss an die 2. Klasse der Sekundarstufe (letzte nderung: August 2012)

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