Promotion and Failing in Switzerland
When is the school year passed? Rules and compensation.
Promotion rules in Switzerland vary by canton and school type. A failing grade does not always mean the end. Your school's regulations are authoritative.
When is the Year Considered Failed?
Example, recognised gymnasial Matura: the Matura is passed if the doubled sum of grade deviations below 4 is not greater than the sum of deviations above 4, and at most four Matura grades are below 4. Primary and lower-secondary promotion often follows different rules.
The Double Compensation Principle
For recognised gymnasial Matura certificates, Article 26 of the Matura Recognition Ordinance (MAV) sets double compensation: the doubled sum of all deviations below 4 must not exceed the sum of all deviations above 4. In addition, at most four Matura grades may be below 4.
Consequences of Non-Promotion
- Provisional promotion (probation period)
- Repeating the school year (repetition)
- Exclusion from school (in case of repeated failure)
- Change of level (e.g., from Sek A to Sek B)
Prevention Strategies
- Know your regulations (promotion rules)
- Calculate with our tool: Is my average of 4.5 enough for compensation?
- Focus on strengths to collect compensation points
- Seek conversation with teachers early
Conclusion
Whether 4.0 is the minimum depends on your school's regulations or, for the gymnasial Matura, on the MAV. You still need a buffer for compensation. Use the calculator to check your grades.
More Useful Tools
Convert Points to Grades
Not sure what grade your score gives? Our points-to-grades calculator shows a common linear estimate (1–6). Whether the test is passed depends on your teacher's grading key.
Frequently Asked Questions About Promotion
- What does 'provisional promotion' mean?
- With provisional promotion, you are promoted to the next school year conditionally. You have a probation period during which you must improve your performance.
- How exactly does double compensation work?
- For the gymnasial Matura under MAV Art. 26, each deviation below 4 counts double. Example: A 3.5 (0.5 below 4, doubled to 1.0) needs at least a 5.0 (1.0 above 4). Not every school calculates promotion this way.
- Can I still pass with a 2.0?
- At the gymnasial Matura, a 2.0 can be compensated arithmetically if the doubled sum of deviations below 4 does not exceed the sum above 4 and at most four grades are below 4. Whether that is enough in practice depends on the other grades.
- Do the same rules apply in all cantons?
- No, promotion regulations vary by canton and school type. Always check the regulations of your specific school.