Preparation for the Fachmittelschule (FMS) Entrance Exam in Bern

Course Types

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

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Private Lessons

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

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Long-Term Group Course

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

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Intensive Course During the Holidays

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

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ABOUT THE EXAM

More information: FMS Entrance Exam Prep Courses in Bern

What exactly is the Fachmittelschule (FMS) in the Canton of Bern?

The vocational middle school in the Canton of Bern follows the 9th school year (secondary level I). It offers young people an in-depth general education combined with targeted preparation for careers in the health, social services, or education sectors.

Duration & Degrees: After 3 years, students earn the cantonal Fachmittelschule diploma. With an optional 4th year, they earn the Fachmaturität, which grants them admission without entrance exams to universities of applied sciences and teacher training colleges (PH).
Career Fields (Profiles): Health, Social Work, Education (Teaching Professions), and Design and Art.

How does the admissions process for FMS Bern work?

Admission to a Bernese Fachmittelschule is regulated at the cantonal level and takes place at the end of 9th grade through two possible pathways:

The Recommendation Procedure (Exam-Free): Students in the secondary class (Sek level) who achieve the required grade point average in the core subjects on their first-semester report card in 9th grade and receive a recommendation from their teacher are promoted without having to take an exam.
The Entrance Exam (FMS Exam): Students who narrowly miss the requirements for admission without an exam, are enrolled in the Realzug track, or come from a private school can qualify by taking the cantonal entrance exam.

The Bern Cantonal FMS Entrance Exam 2026/27

For students who wish to enroll in a Bernese vocational secondary school in August 2027 and are required to take the exam, clear guidelines apply:

Exam Subjects: In the Canton of Bern, the written FMS entrance exam covers three subjects: German, mathematics, and French.
Exam Content: The entire test is based entirely on the material covered in the Bern Curriculum 21 up to the middle of the 9th school year.
Passing Grade: The exam is considered passed if the average of the three exam grades is at least 4.0.

Application Deadlines and Exam Dates for Bern 2027

The administrative deadlines in the Canton of Bern must be strictly adhered to in order to be admitted for the 2027–28 school year.

Registration Period: The cantonal online registration window for the FMS opens in December 2026 and closes on February 15, 2027.
Important: Even students who qualify for transfer without an exam must officially register by this deadline.
Exam Date: The centralized written FMS entrance exams will take place in the Canton of Bern in mid-March 2027 (usually spread over two consecutive days).
Start of the School Year: Classes at FMS Bern will begin in August 2027, after the summer break.

Why is it worth doing targeted FMS preparation in Bern?

Since the FMS exam in Bern, unlike those in other cantons, also includes French, preparation for these three core subjects is intensive. Professional support provides a decisive edge:

Confidence in all three subjects: We don’t just brush up on math and German; we also specifically reinforce French grammar as well as listening and reading comprehension tailored to the Bern exam format.
Gaining Experience Through Actual Exams: The students take real FMS exams from previous years in Bern under actual time constraints to develop the ability to handle exam pressure.
Securing Grades on the Report Card: For secondary school students who want to qualify for exam-free advancement, our fall/winter tutoring program offers the perfect support to ensure good grades on their January report card.

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