Preparation for the Fachmittelschule (FMS) Entrance Exam in Basel

Course Types

Course Options & Information: Preparation for the Fachmittelschule (FMS) Entrance Exam in Basel

Choose the learning style that's right for you!

tutoring-in-switzerland-bern-basel-zurich-st. gallen-aarau-tutoring-center-12

Private Lessons

FMS Entrance Exam Prep Course as a private, semi-private, or trio private course.

learn morelearn more

tutoring-in-switzerland-bern-basel-zurich-st. gallen-aarau-tutoring-center-20

Long-Term Group Course

Our most comprehensive preparation—week by week in small groups.

learn morelearn more

tutoring-in-switzerland-bern-basel-zurich-st. gallen-aarau-tutoring-center-16

Intensive Course During the Holidays

Maximum progress in a short time—intensive, targeted, and exam-oriented instruction in small groups.

learn morelearn more

tutoring-in-switzerland-bern-basel-zurich-stgallen-aarau-tutoring-center-24

8-Week Crash Course

Targeted preparation for the final phase—concise, efficient, and directly geared toward the exam.

learn morelearn more

ABOUT THE EXAM

More information: FMS Entrance Exam Prep Courses in Basel

What exactly is the Fachmittelschule (FMS) in Basel?

In the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, the Fachmittelschule follows the 3rd grade of secondary school. It combines a broad general education with practice-oriented specializations.

Duration & Completion: After 3 years, students earn the Fachmittelschulausweis. Upon earning the Fachmaturität (after an additional 4th year), students gain admission without having to take an entrance exam to universities of applied sciences and colleges of education (PH).
Typical career fields: health care, social work, education (teaching professions), design/art, and music/theater.

How does the admissions process for FMS Basel work?

Admission to Basel's vocational secondary schools is primarily based on the secondary school report card or on the voluntary cantonal exam.

Exam-Free Admission: Students in the 3rd year of secondary school (track E or P) who achieve the cantonal minimum grade point averages in the core subjects on their January report card are admitted directly to the FMS without having to take an exam.
The entrance exam (FMS exam): Students who narrowly fail to meet the grade requirement in January or who come from a private school qualify through the cantonal entrance exam.

The Standardized Entrance Exam in Basel 2026/27

For students who wish to begin attending an FMS in the Basel region in August 2027, the exam is highly focused. Unlike in other cantons, French is not tested here.

Subjects Tested: The written entrance exam covers only two subjects: German and mathematics.
Exam duration: Each subject is tested in a 90-minute written exam.
Content & Grading: The material is designed to precisely meet the requirements of the Secondary School Curriculum 21. The total score determines whether the student has qualified for the FMS.

Registration Deadlines and Exam Dates for Basel 2027

Appointments in the Basel area are strictly scheduled. Anyone who misses the deadlines risks being placed on a waiting list.

Registration Period: Online registration for the FMS, as well as simultaneous registration for the entrance exam, takes place from early January through approximately mid-February 2027 via the cantonal portal (e.g., Schulnetz in Basel-Stadt).
Exam Date: The centralized written entrance exam for the 2027–28 school year will take place in March 2027 (traditionally shortly after the Carnival break).
Start of School: Upon successful completion, the FMS training program will begin in August 2027.

Why is it worth doing targeted FMS preparation in Basel?

Since the entire exam in Basel hinges on just two subjects (German and math), every single question carries significant weight. Professional and targeted preparation gives students a decisive advantage:

Security Every Minute: Since only 90 minutes are available per subject, perfect time management is the key to success.
Focus on core math skills: Geometry, algebra, and word problems from secondary school are thoroughly reviewed and presented in an easy-to-understand way.
A routine without test anxiety: By working through sample exam questions under real-world conditions, students will overcome their nervousness and go into the exam in March 2027 feeling completely at ease.

INSIGHT