Tutoring in Zürich

The central entrance exam (ZAP) for the canton's Gymnasien is written and covers German and mathematics, German in two parts (an essay and language and text comprehension) and mathematics counting for half of the exam grade (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). For 2027 it is held on Monday 8 March; registration runs from 1 January to 10 February 2027, costs CHF 50 non-refundable, and follows an online registration that opens on 1 September (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The long Gymnasium takes pupils from the sixth primary class, the short one from the second or third secondary class (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026) (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). Past papers with solutions are published, and adapted German requirements apply from 2027 after a new sixth-grade textbook (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). Pupils coming from another canton or abroad apply through a central contact point, and the school decides on admission (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Free homework supervision belongs to the city's day-school model for primary pupils, with hours set in the timetable; parents can opt out until 2 July (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). Tutoring, homework help, exam preparation and language lessons do not count as childcare costs in the cantonal tax return (Zurich tax office, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Arrivals from abroad register in person at the Personenmeldeamt Zürich Süd in the Stadthaus, Stadthausquai 17, with a booked appointment, and only once they actually live in the city (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The deadline is 14 days (2026) (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026); the fee is CHF 40 per adult, plus the cantonal migration office’s permit fees for foreign nationals (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). More in our guide to registering at your commune.