IMS entrance exam in the canton of Bern: Your guide to the IT middle school
The Information Technology Secondary School (IMS) in the Canton of Bern offers a specialized education in the field of information technology. Here you will find all the important information about the IMS entrance exam and the requirements.
Registration and requirements for the IMS entrance examination
The Registration for the IMS exam must be submitted by February 15, 2025. Admission is possible after completion of compulsory elementary school and before the age of 18. The written vocational baccalaureate entrance examinations will take place on March 8, 2025, the oral examination in French on March 6, 2025. The aptitude test for students without a BM examination is on February 21, 2025, for those who have passed the BM examination on April 1, 2025.
Exam-free admission
Exam-free admission is possible for students who have already been admitted to a Gymnasium or FMS course in the German-speaking part of the canton or who are assessed as suitable at the end of the first semester of the third year of lower secondary school. This assessment is carried out by the responsible elementary school authority. Recommended students only have to take the aptitude test.
Admission with vocational baccalaureate examination
If admission without an examination is not possible, students can be registered for the IMS entrance examination. The examination subjects include German (75 minutes), French (written 45 minutes, oral 5 minutes), English (45 minutes) and mathematics (75 minutes). The examination material is based on the curriculum of secondary level 1, first semester of the 9th school year.
Exam form and content
German: Text production (two essay topics to choose from)
French: Communicative skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
English: text comprehension, grammar, text production, vocabulary
Mathematics: algebra, arithmetic and geometry
Passing standard
The examination is deemed to have been passed if the weighted average of the four examination grades is at least 4.0, with mathematics being weighted twice. After passing the BM examination, the aptitude test follows.
Exam preparation
Old examination series and reports from the last entrance examinations are recommended for preparation. These provide valuable insights into the examination requirements.
How much does the exam preparation course for the IT middle school (IMS) cost?
The costs for the IMS exam preparation vary depending on the provider and type of course. Prices range from CHF 30 to CHF 59 per lesson for private tuition, depending on whether it is one-to-one, semi-private or trio private tuition.
This comprehensive information on the IMS entrance examination will help you to prepare optimally for entry to the IT secondary school in the Canton of Bern. If you have any further questions, please contact the Department of Education and Culture.
