Roland Böhi
Unfortunately, your child did not pass the central entrance exam. Would you like to appeal because you suspect a correction error? First of all, it would be advisable to request access to the exam.
Requirements for appeal
Required documents and formal requirements
If you wish to lodge an appeal, it must be submitted in writing on paper and in German. Please ensure that you sign the appeal and enclose two copies. The appeal must include both the application and the reasons for it. The contested decision must also be enclosed. The appeal must be sent to the following address:
Department of Education
General Secretariat / Legal Services
Walcheplatz 2
8090 Zurich
Deadlines and time frames
The appeal must be lodged within the specified time limit (30 days after receipt of the admission decision) stated on the decision. This period begins on the day after the decision is delivered, even if this falls on a Saturday or public holiday. Saturdays and public holidays are included in the calculation of the time limit, but if the time limit ends on such a day, it is extended to the next working day.
The written submission must be received by the authority or handed over to the post office by the last day of the deadline (date of postmark). The same applies if you wish to submit a statement or further documents. Special rules apply to submissions from abroad. The deadlines continue to run uninterrupted throughout the entire procedure, including during court vacations. A request for reconsideration does not suspend the deadline. The deadline for submitting an appeal cannot be extended.
(Section 22 in conjunction with Section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act)
Appeal procedure
After receiving the appeal, the appeals department of the education authority confirms this in writing. The authority that issued the decision is contacted and asked to provide a statement and the files. The appeals department reviews the appeal for legal requirements. If there are any deficiencies, a short deadline is set for rectification (interim decision). In the case of grade-based decisions (e.g., exams, promotions), appellants often only receive the schools' reasons for the grades after submitting the appeal and can then comment on them. Once all statements have been received and no further clarification is necessary, the Department of Education makes a decision and informs the parties of the next steps (information on legal remedies).
Costs
The costs for a rejected appeal amount to between CHF 500 and CHF 1,500. An appeal may also be withdrawn. In this case, the costs are usually reduced. (Section 13(2) and (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, Section 5 et seq. of the Schedule of Fees for Administrative Authorities)
Conclusion
An appeal following a failed Gymnasium entrance exam may be a way to request a re-evaluation if there are reasonable doubts about the assessment. However, parents should carefully consider whether the chances of success justify the effort and potential costs. Early access to the exam papers can help to clarify the situation. As the appeal is subject to formal requirements and deadlines must be strictly adhered to, careful preparation is essential. If there are any uncertainties, it may be advisable to seek legal advice to determine the best course of action.
Sources
- Information on the appeal procedure (August 2025)
