Preparation for the Informatikmittelschule (IMS) Entrance Exam in Zurich

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ABOUT THE EXAM

More information: IMS Entrance Exam Prep Courses in Zurich

What exactly is a secondary school specializing in computer science (IMS)?

The Computer Science Middle School is a four-year program that begins immediately after the 3rd year of secondary school. It combines a solid academic education with hands-on, specialized IT training.

Structure: The program consists of three years of classroom instruction followed by a one-year internship at an IT company.
Degree: Graduates earn the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in Computer Science (specializing in Application Development) as well as the Federal Vocational Maturity Diploma (with a focus on Business and Services).
Future Opportunities: This degree qualifies graduates for admission without entrance exams to universities of applied sciences (e.g., for a bachelor’s degree in business informatics) or for direct entry into the tech industry.

What are the admission requirements for IMS?

In the Canton of Zurich, strictly defined criteria apply for registration for the IMS Central Admission Exam (ZAP):

Educational Requirements: Completion of the 3rd grade of Zurich’s secondary school system (Division A or B). Students from Division B must also provide a written recommendation from their teacher.
Required Report Card: The July report card at the end of the 2nd year of secondary school (spring semester) is used for the admissions process.
Age requirement: To be eligible for admission for the 2027–28 school year, applicants must have been born after June 30, 2009.
Mandatory Prerequisite (Multicheck): You must submit a Multicheck for “Computer Scientist EFZ – Application Development for Secondary Schools of Computer Science (IMS).” You must achieve a score of at least 50 in both the “Potential” and “Job-Specific Skills” sections.

How does the IMS entrance exam (ZAP) work?

Unlike at other middle schools, the IMS entrance exam in the Canton of Zurich takes place as early as the fall. It is a purely written exam.

Exam Subjects: The exam covers only the core subjects of German and mathematics. The material tested is based on Curriculum 21 up to the end of the second semester of the second year of secondary school.
Exam duration:
- Mathematics: 90 minutes (arithmetic, algebra, and geometry).
- German, Part 1: 45 minutes (language analysis and reading comprehension).
- German, Part 2: 90 minutes (writing a text / essay).

How is the IMS exam score calculated, and what is the passing score?

The performance evaluation takes into account both exam results and prior academic performance.

Exam Weighting: The final exam grade consists of half (50%) from the math exam and one-quarter (25%) each from the two German exam sections.
With a prior performance grade (Secondary Level A): The final grade is calculated as 50% from the exam grade and 50% from the prior performance grade (the average of math, German, French, English, and science and technology from the July report card of the 2nd year of secondary school). A final grade of at least 4.75 is required to pass.
Without a preliminary grade (Secondary Level B / private schools): The exam result alone counts for 100%. In this case, an exam grade of at least 4.5 is required to pass.

What are the important dates for the IMS during the 2026–2027 school year?

Since the IMS exam takes place before the start of the regular school year, the deadlines in fall 2026 for admission in August 2027 must be strictly adhered to:

Multicheck Time Window: The aptitude test must be taken between June 1 and September 25, 2026.
Online registration window: From the September 1 through September 30, 2026 electronically via the cantonal ZAP portal (zh.ch/zap). The fee is CHF 50.-.
Exam Date: The cantonal IMS entrance exam will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Probationary Period: After passing the exam, students will begin their first IMS semester (probationary period) in August 2027, following the summer break.

How does ILS Tutoring Zurich help students prepare for the IMS?

The IMS exam is considered particularly challenging, as students must have a solid grasp of the material covered in the first two years of secondary school by the fall of their third year. ILS Tutoring offers tailored support for this:

Early Coursework: We systematically review the core mathematical and language topics from the 2nd year of secondary school.
Essay & Writing Training: Targeted coaching in essay writing to perfect structure, grammar, and style under time pressure.
ZAP Simulation: By having students work through actual past IMS exam questions, we help alleviate their test anxiety and improve their time management skills.

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