Preparation for the Fachmittelschule (FMS) Entrance Exam in St. Gallen

Course Types

Course Options & Information: Preparation for the Fachmittelschule (FMS) Entrance Exam in St. Gallen

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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 St. Gallen

What exactly is the Fachmittelschule (FMS) in the canton of St. Gallen?

The vocational secondary school in the canton of St. Gallen follows the 3rd grade of secondary school and offers a practice-oriented, academic alternative to the traditional gymnasium.

Degrees: After 3 years, students earn the Fachmittelschulausweis. With the optional 4th year, students earn the Fachmaturität, which grants them admission without entrance exams to universities of applied sciences and colleges of education (PH).
Typical career fields: health care, social work, education (teaching professions), and design/art.
FMS Locations: In the canton of St. Gallen, the FMS program is offered at the cantonal schools in Brühl (St. Gallen), Heerbrugg, Sargans, and Wattwil.

What is the admissions process like for the FMS in St. Gallen?

When transferring to a St. Gallen Fachmittelschule, the principle of a unified entrance exam applies.

Performance on the Exam Alone: Unlike at the Kurzgymnasium, the St. Gallen FMS entrance exam generally does not take previous grades or performance-based grades into account. Passing the exam therefore depends solely on the student’s performance on the day of the exam.
No oral exams: The process is conducted entirely in writing.

The St. Gallen Cantonal FMS Entrance Exam 2026/27

For children starting school in the summer of 2027, the cantonal exam is already scheduled for late summer of the previous year (2026).

Exam Subjects: Written exams are administered in German, French, and mathematics.
Exam Structure:
- German: Language test (60 minutes) and writing assignment/essay (60 minutes).
- French: Audiovisual comprehension, reading comprehension, vocabulary/grammar, and free writing (total duration: 75 minutes).
- Mathematics: The math exam is divided into two parts. Part I (calculations without a calculator) lasts 60 minutes; Part II (calculations with a calculator) also lasts 60 minutes.
Passing Score: The exam is considered passed if an unrounded average of at least 4.0 is achieved based on the four individual grades (German, French, Mathematics I & II).

Registration Deadlines and Exam Dates in St. Gallen

Because of the early exam date in the canton of St. Gallen, the administrative process requires families to plan well in advance.

Registration deadline: Online registration via the cantonal portal “Matura-Navigator” will close on August 24, 2026.
Exam Date: The central cantonal FMS entrance exam for admission in the 2027/28 school year will take place on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Start of School: Following successful completion of the admissions process and the regular completion of the 3rd year of secondary school, the FMS will begin in August 2027.

Why is it worth doing targeted FMS preparation in St. Gallen?

Since the St. Gallen FMS exam takes place extremely early in September—that is, immediately after the summer break for 3rd-year secondary students—there is hardly any time to prepare during the current school year. A professional prep course offers a decisive advantage:

Taking Advantage of Vacation and Summer Courses: Since the exam material covers the skills taught through the end of the 2nd year of secondary school, we use the spring and summer breaks to thoroughly review and consolidate the entire curriculum.
Focus on calculating without a calculator: In Math Section I, most careless mistakes occur under time pressure. We practice mental math strategies and work through actual exams from previous years, timing ourselves to the minute.
French Exam Prep: The St. Gallen exam format, which includes audiovisual elements, requires targeted practice. We help students overcome their nerves and build genuine self-confidence for the big day in September.

INSIGHT