Learning objectives for long-track Gymnasium

In our preparatory courses, we deal with all topics that are relevant for the entrance examination. However, the courses of Lern-Forum go beyond the entrance exam. We also look at individual topics that will be dealt with at the beginning of the probationary period. We want you to have a great start at Gymnasium!

Mathematics

The learning objectives are based on the curriculum of Zurich primary schools and the teaching materials used. The use of calculators is not allowed in the exam. A clear, comprehensible presentation of the calculation method is particularly important. This will, of course, be practised intensively in our courses. 

Learning objectives

• Natural numbers up to 1,000,000, calculations with the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), factors with three digits, divisors with two digits
• Adding and subtracting fractions with a common denominator, multiplying fractions by natural numbers, calculating fractions and the whole
• Turning fractions into decimals and decimals into fractions
• Basic operations with decimal numbers
• Recognising and calculating measurements of monetary values, time, lengths, weights (mass) and capacity measurements
• Solving word problems with indirect and direct proportionality, solution on the basis of the rule of three
• Solving word problems with fractions and proportions
• Recognising 2D geometric objects (triangle, rectangle, square, circle, point, straight line, beam, line)
• Constructing parallels, perpendiculars, perpendicular bisectors and angle bisectors (application in exercises)
• Calculating the perimeters of polygons (e.g. rectangle)
• Performing spatial considerations regarding geometric bodies (cube, cuboid, prism, pyramid, cone, cylinder, sphere)

German

The German exam consists of two parts. For the essay part, students are allowed to use a school dictionary ("Wort für Wort" or "Duden Rechtschreibung"). The learning objectives are based on the primary school syllabus of the canton of Zurich (Edition 2005, p. 135-141).

Writing a Text

• Adequately writing experienced, observed or invented material in a text (don't go off-topic, answer the questions)
• Describing experiences and factual reports in an exciting and coherent way
• Describing personal observations and related feelings and thoughts vividly and comprehensibly by telling a story based on the given text modules, meaningfully embedding these into the story
• Telling a story based on stimulus words or newspaper reports

Marked on 3 aspects: content, style, grammar.

• Content: mentioning all the important things, using the focus correctly (background must not prevail), correctly implementing the content requirements of the assignment, write age-appropriate considerations and explanations, and documenting thoughts and feelings    
• Grammar: correct capitalisation, use of correct verb forms, correct use of punctuation, use direct speech correctly, spell (known) words correctly, use correct case forms
• Style: structuring the text meaningfully and giving it a visual and substantive structure, presenting an extensive vocabulary, constructing varied sentences, describing the sequence of events in an exciting way (no then, then, then).

The essay is an important tool for judging the maturity of a child. Essays are marked very strictly. At Lern-Forum, we intensively practise the writing of good essays. Teachers will only correct some of the essays written by the students. The rest will be corrected by an external, specialised team who will follow the official guidelines of the central entrance examination when marking their assessments. Students will therefore receive a lot of feedback.

Text comprehension and interpretation (grammar and expression)

Careful and concentrated work is also of great importance in the German exam. Students should be able to correctly follow instructions. In addition, points will be deducted for spelling mistakes in this portion of the exam.

• Answering questions about text comprehension (extracting information from the text, understanding contexts, thinking about issues raised and expressing these thoughts).
• Vocabulary and expression: recognising and thinking about linguistic forms, identifying words, sentences and texts and replacing , transforming or re-forming words and sentences, recognising synonyms and antonyms, supplementing word families, using proverbs, connecting phrases with the appropriate conjunctions and adverbs to make direct speech (correct punctuation, uppercase and lowercase, necessary conjugations of verbs, pronouns), recognising and correctly using personal verb forms and tenses (present, preterite, perfect, future), switching from one tense to another, basic forms (infinitives) of verbs, knowing how to use nouns in the plural, noun-adjective agreement, comparatives
• Connecting subordinate clauses with the appropriate conjunctions and adverbs, forming direct speech (correct punctuation, upper and lower case, necessary transformations of verbs and pronouns, knowing and correctly using personal forms of the verb, knowing and correctly using tenses of the verb(present, past, perfect, future), transforming from one tense to another, knowing basic forms (infinitives) of verbs, putting nouns in the plural, adapting adjectives to nouns, forms of intensification.

Further information on the learning objectives as well as the exact requirements (grades, etc.) for the entrance examination can be found on our website www.lern-forum.ch. We offer preparatory courses from autumn onwards. There are both courses in school time and in the holidays. We teach in small groups of up to 8 students. Thanks to our up-to-date and proven course materials and excellent teachers, we provide outstanding preparation for the entrance exam

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