Preparation for the Wirtschaftsmittelschule (WMS) Entrance Exam in St. Gallen

Course Types

Course Options & Information: Preparation for the Business High School (WMS) Entrance Exam in St. Gallen

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Private Lessons

HMS 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: WMS Entrance Exam Prep Courses in St. Gallen

What exactly is the Wirtschaftsmittelschule (WMS) in the canton of St. Gallen?

The Business High School (WMS) follows the 3rd grade of secondary school. It offers young people the opportunity to combine a solid business education with a broad general education.

Structure & Duration: The program lasts a total of 4 years. It consists of 3 years of full-time classroom instruction, followed by a 1-year business internship at a company.
Dual Degree: Graduates earn both the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in Business Administration and the Federal Vocational Maturity Diploma (specialization in Business and Services, Business track) at the same time.
Locations: In the St. Gallen region, the WMS program is primarily offered at the Kantonsschule am Brühl (St. Gallen) and at the Kantonsschule Sargans.

How does the admissions process for the WMS in St. Gallen work?

Admission to a business high school in the canton of St. Gallen is strictly regulated by a cantonal entrance exam.

Performance on the Exam Alone: Unlike in the gymnasium track, grades from the current secondary school year generally do not count toward admission to the WMS. Success therefore depends solely on the performance on the official exam day.
No oral exams: The entire WMS admissions process is conducted exclusively in written form.

The St. Gallen Cantonal WMS Entrance Exam 2026/27

For students starting school in the summer of 2027, the cantonal standardized test will take place as early as late summer of the previous year (2026). The test format requires strong performance in mathematics.

Exam Subjects and Weighting: There are written exams in three subjects, with mathematics counting double:
- German (1 subgrade)
- French (1 subgrade)
- Mathematics I & II (2 separate grades, since there are two separate exams).
Passing Threshold: The exam is considered passed if the unrounded average of the four partial grades (German, French, Mathematics I & II) is at least 4.0.

Registration Deadlines and WMS Dates for St. Gallen

Because of the earlier start date in the St. Gallen school system, administrative deadlines must be planned well in advance.

Registration deadline: Online registration via the official cantonal portal “Matura-Navigator” will close on August 24, 2026.
Exam Date: The centralized written entrance exam for the 2027–28 school year will take place on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Start of School: After successfully completing the admissions process and graduating from the 3rd year of secondary school, training at the WMS will begin in August 2027.

Why is it worth taking specific steps to prepare for WMS in St. Gallen?

Since the WMS entrance exam in the canton of St. Gallen is administered right at the beginning of the 3rd year of secondary school (in September), there is no time left to prepare after summer break. A professional prep course is the key to success here:

Ensuring the double weighting for math: Since there are two separate math exams (Part I without a calculator, Part II with a calculator), this subject has a significant impact on the overall grade point average. We provide intensive practice for both formats.
Take Advantage of Intensive Vacation Courses: We use the spring and summer breaks for 2nd-year secondary students to thoroughly review and reinforce all relevant exam material from Curriculum 21.
Practice with authentic St. Gallen exams: The students work through actual exam series from previous years under real-world time pressure. This builds confidence, reduces test anxiety, and optimally prepares the students for the big day in September.

INSIGHT