Roland Böhi
Starting at the Gymnasium is a big step, and the trial period at the Gymnasium doesn't exactly make it any easier. Suddenly, the material is more difficult, the pace is faster, and the pressure is greater. Many new Gymnasium students feel overwhelmed in the first few weeks. But don't worry: you're not alone, and you can prepare yourself well.
In this article, you will learn what to expect during your trial period at the Gymnasium, what challenges you will face, and how you can best overcome them. We will also show you how you can prepare yourself optimally with targeted courses in math, German, English, or Latin.
What is the trial period in a Gymnasium?
When you start in a Gymnasium, you first go through a trial period at the Gymnasium, which usually lasts about six months. During this time, you have to show that you can keep up with the higher level of work. Your performance in important subjects such as math, German, Latin, and English is closely monitored. If your grades are too low, you may unfortunately have to leave the school.
That sounds strict, and it is. But the trial period at the Gymnasium isn't there to stress you out. It's there to show whether the Gymnasium is the right type of school for you at the moment. With the right preparation, you can do it.
What rules apply during the trial period at the Gymnasium?
At the Gymnasium, the subjects you take for your diploma are considered promotion subjects, and every grade you get in these subjects counts toward your promotion decision. Which grades these are depends on your profile and the school you go to. Each semester, you will receive a report card in which your performance is graded on a scale of whole and half grades (6 is the highest, 1 is the lowest, with grades below 4 considered unsatisfactory).
In addition to written work, oral performance is also assessed, with the teacher informing the class in good time about the type of assessment. At the end of the trial period at the Gymnasium, the class council decides on final admission and then, at the end of the semester, on promotion. To be promoted, the double sum of all negative grade deviations from 4 must not be greater than the positive sum of the grade deviations from 4. A maximum of three grades below 4 are permitted. If these conditions are not met, students may be provisionally promoted or not promoted at all. Repeated unsuccessful provisional promotion in certain grade levels leads to non-promotion and thus to termination of the Gymnasium path.
That sounds strict, and it is. But the trial period at the Gymnasium isn't there to stress you out. It's there to show whether the Gymnasium is the right type of school for you at the moment. With the right preparation, you can do it.
What to expect at the Gymnasium
One significant change is the adjustment of personal grade expectations, as many former “top students” at the Gymnasium find that their grades are generally lower than before. This can be difficult at first. As a student, you also have to learn to cope with a higher number of subjects, homework, and exams, and to organize your materials and schedules independently.
During the trial period at the Gymnasium, you need to show interest, openness, and persistence. You have to try to stay on the ball and, above all, learn to organize yourself. Your performance should always be adequate or, if necessary, compensated for by other achievements. However, it is also important to take enough breaks, even when you are working hard. Without breaks, you cannot concentrate on your work.
Typical challenges for new Gymnasium students
Many students realize after just a few weeks Gymnasium is no walk in the park. Here are a few things that are often difficult:
More material in less time: You get significantly more homework, have to prepare for multiple exams at the same time and the lessons are more intensive.
Independent learning: In the Gymnasium, you are expected to think for yourself, learn and organize the material well, even if no one is constantly reminding you.
New subjects and content: Perhaps you have never had Latin before or English has been rather easy so far. Now you are faced with new topics, lots of vocabulary and more complex tasks.
Stress and uncertainty: It's completely normal to feel stressed or insecure at the beginning. It is important that you get help early on if you notice that you are losing touch.
Which subjects do students often struggle with at the Gymnasium?
At the Gymnasium, you will quickly realize that not all subjects are equally difficult. Especially during the trial period at the Gymnasium, problems often arise in certain areas simply because a lot of new knowledge is required and the material is covered very quickly.
Here are the subjects that many students struggle with during the trial period:
Mathematics
Maths is much more abstract in secondary school than in primary school. You will have to do less calculation and understand and apply much more – for example, deriving formulas or working with variables. If you weren't the biggest maths fan in primary school, it's particularly worth doing some targeted preparation here.
German
Writing essays, analyzing texts, understanding literature—German class really gets going at the Gymnasium. It's no longer enough to simply write well. You have to show that you can construct arguments, structure texts, and apply language rules confidently.
Latin
For many people, Latin is completely new—and that can be overwhelming at first. You are learning a new language with lots of rules, unfamiliar grammar, and lots of vocabulary. If you fall behind here, it is difficult to catch up. That is why it is particularly helpful to start early.
English
English is also more demanding at the Gymnasium than in elementary school. It is no longer just about simple sentences and vocabulary, but also about grammar, listening comprehension, text comprehension, and free writing. Many students only realize where their weaknesses lie once they start at the Gymnasium.
How to prepare effectively
The good news is that you can prepare really well for your trial period—and avoid a lot of stress in the process. Here are a few tips on how to do that:
Review the material from elementary school: Especially in math, German or English, it is super helpful if you really know the basics. Repeat the most important topics from the last class so that you can think straight away in the Gymnasium.
Work with a study plan: Plan your study time - preferably every week. This will keep you on track, even if you don't feel like it at the moment. Small, regular study sessions are more effective than hours of cramming just before the exam.
Practice with old exams or exercises: If you know what exams look like at your Gymi, you can prepare more specifically. Ask older students or see if you can find practice material - or take part in a course that includes exactly these kinds of tasks.
Get support before things get tough: If you notice that you're struggling in a subject, don't wait too long. Get help - for example with a course or with tutoring. At StudyPeak, we offer targeted trial period preparation courses for the Gymnasium in math, German, Latin and English. If you would like to prepare for the trial period in an even more targeted and personalized way, we offer a preparation course on site in Zurich and Küsnacht. Experienced teachers will support you individually, give you valuable tips and answer all your questions.
Conclusion
The trial period at the Gymnasium is challenging – but with good preparation, it is absolutely doable. It is important that you start early, know your weaknesses, and study regularly.
If you need support, we are here for you: our courses in math, German, English, and Latin will help you get through your trial period with confidence.
Find out more now: Preparation course for the Gymnasium trial period
