We contacted Good Tutors Finder only six weeks before IB exams, and the support made a huge difference. The tutor focused on exam technique, time management, and past-paper practice, which really helped reduce our son's stress levels.
Exam preparation in Switzerland
Curriculum-specialist tutors for every major exam sat in Switzerland — at-home or online, across Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, and Bern. Tutors assigned within 48 to 72 hours.
Good Tutors Finder assigns curriculum-specialist exam preparation tutors across Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, Bern, and online — covering IB, IGCSE, A-Level, AP, MYP, Swiss Matura, and Gymi, matched to the exact exam board and year group. Most assignments confirmed within 48 to 72 hours. Any session refundable in full on knowledge or professionalism grounds.
Which families does exam preparation support cover?
Good Tutors Finder serves two groups of families in Switzerland — and this page is built around both.
IB, IGCSE, A-Level, AP, and MYP exam preparation
For families at international schools across Switzerland — from ZIS and ICS in Zurich to Geneva English School and ISL in Lausanne — we assign tutors who know the exact exam board, syllabus, and year-group demands. IB HL and SL papers, IGCSE coursework, A-Level mocks, AP subject tests, and IA / EE / TOK support.
Swiss Matura and Gymi entrance exam preparation
For English-speaking families in the Swiss public system — from Gymi entrance preparation (ZAP) through to Swiss Matura subjects. Tutors support both Langgymnasium and Kurzgymnasium pathways across Zurich, Bern, Basel, Zug, and beyond, explaining subject content in English.
Which exams and curricula do we prepare students for?
Every major examination sat by students at international and Swiss schools across Switzerland.
IB Diploma Programme
Maths AA and AI (HL & SL), Sciences, English A and B, Economics, History, and Computer Science. IA, Extended Essay, and TOK support included. Schools: ZIS, ICS Zurich, Geneva English School, ISL, Collège du Léman, ISB, ISZL, ISBerne.
IB tutoring →IGCSE (Cambridge)
Maths, Sciences, English, Languages, and Humanities. Tutors know Cambridge mark schemes, paper structure, and exam technique. Supports students at Collège du Léman, ISB, ISZL, and across all six cities.
IGCSE tutoring →A-Level
AS and A2 across Edexcel, Cambridge, AQA, and OCR. Maths, Further Maths, Sciences, and Economics for international school students in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, and Bern.
A-Level tutoring →AP (College Board)
Calculus AB/BC, Statistics, Sciences, Economics, and History. SAT and ACT preparation for families targeting US university applications from Switzerland, including Common App and UCAS support.
AP tutoring →Gymi entrance exam (ZAP)
ZAP1 (Langgymnasium) and ZAP2 (Kurzgymnasium) preparation in English. Tutors familiar with the Zurich, Basel, and Bern examination formats, explaining German essay and Maths in English.
Gymi preparation →Swiss Matura
English-language tutoring for Swiss Matura candidates in all subjects — Mathematik, sciences, languages, and Matura paper writing — for English-speaking families across all cantons.
Swiss Matura tutoring →Schools supported across Switzerland
Tutors with experience supporting students from these schools are active in our network.
- ZIS · ICS Zurich · Inter-Community School
- Geneva English School · École Internationale
- Collège du Léman · La Châtaigneraie
- ISL Lausanne · Brillantmont · Collège Champittet
- ISB Basel · ISZL (Zug) · ISBerne
- Kantonsschulen across Zurich, Basel, Bern, Zug
School references indicate tutors with experience supporting students at these institutions. Good Tutors Finder is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school listed.
How does exam preparation differ by curriculum?
Each curriculum has its own structure, mark schemes, and internal deadlines. Below is how preparation works for each major exam, what the 2026/27 calendar looks like, and when families typically begin.
IB Diploma Programme
IBO · HL & SL · May examsHow we prepare IB students
IB preparation works at two levels simultaneously: mastering subject content and understanding how the IBO awards marks. Every subject is assessed on a specific combination of internal components (IA marks submitted to the IBO) and external written papers. A tutor who has not studied the IBO mark scheme for a specific subject cannot prepare a student effectively — which is why every IB tutor we assign is curriculum-specific, not simply subject-proficient.
Sessions follow a structured sequence: diagnostic assessment first, then systematic syllabus coverage, then timed past-paper practice. From November onwards, sessions shift toward mark-scheme language, command-word technique, and paper-timing strategy. IA, Extended Essay, and TOK support is treated as a separate, parallel workstream to examination revision.
IA, EE, and TOK
Internal Assessment marks are fixed months before the May examination session and cannot be revised after submission. The EE and TOK essay together contribute a maximum of 3 additional points to the diploma total. Tutors support IA topic selection, experiment or research design, draft feedback, and citation structure — without writing the IA for the student.
Subjects most requested in Switzerland
- Maths AA and AI (HL and SL) — highest demand across all six cities
- Chemistry, Biology, Physics (HL/SL) — IB Science paper technique is highly specific
- Economics and Business Management — essay structure and mark-scheme fluency
- English A Literature and Language — commentary writing and Paper 1 technique
- Extended Essay — supervision support across all subject groups
IB key dates — 2026/27
May 2027 examination sessionIGCSE
Cambridge Assessment · May/June seriesHow we prepare IGCSE students
Cambridge IGCSE mark schemes are precise and teachable. The most common reason students underperform is not weak subject knowledge but poor mark-scheme literacy — they write accurate answers that score no marks because the command words require a different type of response. Every IGCSE session addresses both content mastery and the specific language that the Cambridge mark scheme rewards.
For tiered papers (Foundation and Higher), the tutor establishes early in preparation which tier your child is likely to sit and tailors the content accordingly. Core and Extended curricula are planned separately. Coursework deadlines (where they apply) are factored into the session plan from the first session.
Most requested IGCSE subjects in Switzerland
- Mathematics (0580) — the most-requested subject; Foundation and Higher tier preparation
- Chemistry (0620), Biology (0610), Physics (0625) — practical-paper technique included
- English Language (0500) and English Literature (0475)
- Economics (0455) and Business Studies (0450)
- French, German, Spanish (Foreign Language) — at Collège du Léman, ISB, ISZL, and ISBerne
Schools in Switzerland with large IGCSE cohorts
Collège du Léman (Versoix), ISB Basel, ISZL (Zug), ISBerne, and some year groups at ZIS and ICS Zurich. Tutor assigned knows the specific Cambridge IGCSE syllabus code and the relevant past-paper variants.
IGCSE key dates — 2026/27
May / June 2027 examination seriesA-Level
Edexcel · Cambridge · AQA · OCR · May/JuneHow we prepare A-Level students
A-Level preparation in Switzerland is complicated by exam board diversity. A student at one international school may be sitting Edexcel Maths while a student at another sits Cambridge International AS & A-Level or AQA. Each board structures its papers differently, weights units differently, and rewards extended answers with different mark-scheme conventions. We assign tutors who know the specific board your child is registered with — not simply the subject.
Year 13 preparation focuses on closing syllabus gaps, past-paper technique, and exam-board-specific mark-scheme language. For students who also sat AS examinations in Year 12, the tutor identifies which AS topics carry weight in the A2 papers and prioritises accordingly.
Most requested A-Level subjects in Switzerland
- Mathematics (Edexcel, Cambridge, AQA) — Pure, Statistics, and Mechanics components
- Further Mathematics — highest demand in Zurich and Geneva
- Chemistry, Biology, Physics — required papers and practical endorsement
- Economics and Business — essay technique and data-response questions
- English Literature — close-reading, comparative essay, unseen poetry
A-Level key dates — 2026/27
May / June 2027 examination sessionAP (Advanced Placement)
College Board · May exams · US university pathwayHow we prepare AP students
AP examinations are scored on a 1–5 scale. A score of 4 or 5 is typically required for university credit at selective US institutions, and a score of 3 is the floor for most credit policies. Preparation focuses on understanding the College Board scoring rubric, which rewards specific types of analytical writing, data interpretation, and multi-step problem solving that differ meaningfully from IB or A-Level conventions. Many AP-taught students in Switzerland come from IB school backgrounds and need to adapt to the College Board's particular assessment style.
For quantitative subjects (AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Physics), preparation centres on multiple-choice efficiency and the free-response section's stepwise partial-credit structure. For essay-based AP subjects (AP Language, AP Literature, AP History courses), the focus is on the Document-Based Question (DBQ) and synthesis essay formats.
AP subjects most requested from Switzerland
- AP Calculus AB and BC — most frequently requested
- AP Statistics — data analysis and inference
- AP Chemistry, Biology, Physics (1, 2, and C)
- AP Economics (Micro and Macro)
- AP English Language and Composition — for SAT/ACT and US applications
SAT and ACT preparation
We also assign tutors for SAT and ACT preparation for families targeting US university entry from Switzerland. SAT Math, Reading, and Writing; ACT composite score optimisation. Typically integrated with AP or general academic support in the same weekly schedule.
AP key dates — 2026/27
May 2027 AP examination periodSwiss Matura
Swiss EDK · Cantonal · April–June written examsHow we prepare Swiss Matura students
The Swiss Matura is a national qualification validated by the Swiss Maturitätskommission, but the specific written examinations, oral components, and weighting vary by canton and school. Tutors we assign for Swiss Matura preparation are briefed on the canton-specific exam structure for your child's school before the first session. There is no single national exam paper for most Matura subjects — the cantonal written examinations and individual school assessments combine to produce the Matura certificate.
For English-speaking families, the primary challenge is that Matura subjects — with the exception of native-language English options at some schools — are assessed in German or French. Sessions focus on subject-content mastery and exam-question technique, explained in English and then practised in the assessment language. This dual-language approach is what distinguishes a private Matura tutor from a Swiss-medium group course.
Most requested Swiss Matura subjects
- Mathematik — the most common request; Matura Maths is significantly more demanding than IGCSE level
- Chemie, Biologie, Physik — practical and written paper preparation
- Deutsch — essay writing and literary analysis for the Matura German paper
- Wirtschaft und Recht — for students in the commerce stream
- Maturaarbeit — extended project support; typically completed in Year 4 of Gymnasium
Maturaarbeit (extended work)
The Maturaarbeit is an independent research or creative project of 30–50 pages submitted in Year 4 of the Gymnasium programme. It counts towards the Matura average grade. Tutors provide support for topic selection, research methodology, structure, citation, and revision of drafts — without writing the work for the student.
Swiss Matura key dates — 2026/27
Final Gymnasium year · Zurich, Basel, Bern, Zug, LausanneHow should your child prepare for exams?
Effective exam preparation follows the same structure across all curricula — diagnose gaps first, then teach, then practise under exam conditions.
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1
Audit knowledge gaps before covering new content
Work through the syllabus topic list and past mark schemes to identify specific gaps — not "weak at maths" but "losing marks on IGCSE structured-answer questions". Audit first; teach second.
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2
Map the syllabus to the examination structure
Every curriculum has a specific paper structure and marking scheme. IB assesses internal and external components differently. IGCSE Cambridge has tiered papers. A-Level Edexcel has specific unit weightings. Understanding the structure prevents under-preparing for high-stakes components.
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3
Teach concepts, then practise with official past papers
For each gap: teach the concept clearly, work through guided examples, then set independent practice using only official past papers — IBO, Cambridge, Edexcel, AQA, College Board, Swiss EDK.
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4
Introduce timed past papers six to eight weeks before the exam
Timed practice under examination conditions builds the specific skill of working under pressure. Review every mark lost — not just to identify what went wrong, but how to prevent it next time.
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5
Focus the final two weeks on technique, not new content
Use this window for mark-scheme language, command-word practice, time management per paper section, and one or two final timed full-paper runs. New content at this stage yields diminishing returns.
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6
For IB: treat Internal Assessment as a separate campaign
IB IA, Extended Essay, and TOK count significantly and are submitted before the May examinations. Families at ZIS, ICS, Geneva English School, and ISL often begin IA support well before the predicted-grade submission window.
Is online tutoring as effective as at-home?
At-home or online — same price, same standards. For exam preparation, both modes work well.
| Attribute | Online | At-home |
|---|---|---|
| Price per hour | CHF 79–99 | CHF 79–99 |
| Tutor standards | Same | Same |
| Past-paper review | Shared screen | Physical papers |
| Scheduling | High flexibility | City-dependent |
| Platforms | Zoom · Meet · Teams | Student's home |
Who are our exam preparation tutors in Switzerland?
Every tutor assigned by Good Tutors Finder is degree-qualified and curriculum-specific. The profiles below are examples of the calibre of specialists active in our network.
Markus holds an MSc from ETH Zürich and has nine years of experience preparing students for IB Higher Level Mathematics at international schools in Zurich and Zug. He specialises in IB Maths AA and AI Paper 1 and 2 technique, IA support, and the transition between SL and HL content. Equally experienced with IGCSE and A-Level Maths.
Sarah has seven years of exam preparation experience across IGCSE and A-Level Sciences, working with students at Collège du Léman, ISL, and the Geneva English School. She focuses on Cambridge and Edexcel mark-scheme literacy and practical-paper technique — the components most commonly underscored in the Chemistry and Biology written papers.
Anna holds an MA from St Andrews and specialises in IB English A Literature and Language & Literature, supporting students through Paper 1 commentary technique, Paper 2 comparative essays, and Extended Essay Group 1 writing. She has supervised over 40 IB Extended Essays across multiple subject groups and has extensive experience with TOK essay structure.
James has eight years of Swiss Matura and Gymnasium preparation experience across Basel and Bern cantons. He covers Mathematics for all Matura stream types and supports Maturaarbeit in quantitative and STEM subject areas. For English-speaking families, he explains Swiss cantonal exam requirements in English and adapts content to the specific examination format for each school.
Tutor availability varies by subject, city, and schedule. The profiles above illustrate the calibre of specialists in our network. When you submit the booking form, we assign the most relevant tutor for your child's specific curriculum, exam board, and subject needs. Request a tutor →
What do families say about exam preparation in Switzerland?
Parents in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, and Bern on their experience.
Our daughter needed urgent IGCSE Maths revision before mocks, and the tutor assigned by GTF was fantastic. The sessions were focused, structured, and very encouraging.
The exam preparation support for Swiss Gymi entrance exams was excellent. The tutor knew exactly which areas to prioritise and helped our son build confidence very quickly.
We were impressed by how well the tutor understood the IB marking criteria. The sessions weren't just about learning content — they were about how to score marks effectively in exams.
Our son had completely fallen behind in Chemistry before his A-Level exams. Good Tutors Finder arranged a tutor within days, and the improvement in both his understanding and confidence was remarkable.
The tutor used past papers and timed exercises in every session, which made a huge difference before finals. Our daughter went into her IB exams feeling far more prepared and calm.
We appreciated how flexible the whole process was during exam season. Sessions could be adjusted around revision schedules, and communication was always very smooth.
The tutor assigned for Matura Maths preparation was excellent — patient, organised, and very experienced with Swiss exam expectations. Our son's results improved significantly.
Good Tutors Finder helped our daughter prepare for IGCSE English exams with a tutor who really understood how to structure answers and analyse texts properly. It was exactly the support she needed.
The exam preparation sessions were very targeted and efficient. Instead of wasting time, the tutor focused directly on weak areas and exam strategy, which gave our son a big confidence boost.
We reached out quite late before IB Biology exams, but the tutor quickly identified the most important topics to revise. The sessions felt calm, focused, and highly professional.
Our daughter had severe exam anxiety before her Maths exams, and the tutor was brilliant at helping her feel more confident under pressure. The emotional support mattered just as much as the academic help.
The tutor for A-Level Physics preparation was outstanding. He explained difficult concepts very clearly and made the revision process much more manageable.
As an expat family, we appreciated how easy GTF made the entire process during an already stressful exam period. The tutor was assigned quickly and adapted lessons perfectly to our son's needs.
The combination of subject knowledge and exam preparation strategy was what impressed us most. Our daughter not only improved academically but also learned how to revise more effectively and approach exams with confidence.
We contacted Good Tutors Finder only six weeks before IB exams, and the support made a huge difference. The tutor focused on exam technique, time management, and past-paper practice, which really helped reduce our son's stress levels.
Our daughter needed urgent IGCSE Maths revision before mocks, and the tutor assigned by GTF was fantastic. The sessions were focused, structured, and very encouraging.
The exam preparation support for Swiss Gymi entrance exams was excellent. The tutor knew exactly which areas to prioritise and helped our son build confidence very quickly.
We were impressed by how well the tutor understood the IB marking criteria. The sessions weren't just about learning content — they were about how to score marks effectively in exams.
Our son had completely fallen behind in Chemistry before his A-Level exams. Good Tutors Finder arranged a tutor within days, and the improvement in both his understanding and confidence was remarkable.
The tutor used past papers and timed exercises in every session, which made a huge difference before finals. Our daughter went into her IB exams feeling far more prepared and calm.
We appreciated how flexible the whole process was during exam season. Sessions could be adjusted around revision schedules, and communication was always very smooth.
The tutor assigned for Matura Maths preparation was excellent — patient, organised, and very experienced with Swiss exam expectations. Our son's results improved significantly.
Good Tutors Finder helped our daughter prepare for IGCSE English exams with a tutor who really understood how to structure answers and analyse texts properly. It was exactly the support she needed.
The exam preparation sessions were very targeted and efficient. Instead of wasting time, the tutor focused directly on weak areas and exam strategy, which gave our son a big confidence boost.
We reached out quite late before IB Biology exams, but the tutor quickly identified the most important topics to revise. The sessions felt calm, focused, and highly professional.
Our daughter had severe exam anxiety before her Maths exams, and the tutor was brilliant at helping her feel more confident under pressure. The emotional support mattered just as much as the academic help.
The tutor for A-Level Physics preparation was outstanding. He explained difficult concepts very clearly and made the revision process much more manageable.
As an expat family, we appreciated how easy GTF made the entire process during an already stressful exam period. The tutor was assigned quickly and adapted lessons perfectly to our son's needs.
The combination of subject knowledge and exam preparation strategy was what impressed us most. Our daughter not only improved academically but also learned how to revise more effectively and approach exams with confidence.
Testimonials from real Good Tutors Finder clients. No grade-improvement claims are made.
How quickly will a tutor be assigned?
Three steps from enquiry to first exam preparation session.
You book online
Submit your request — curriculum, subject, year group, online or at-home. Once submitted, we'll confirm everything by WhatsApp within 48–72 hours.
Tutor assigned in 48–72 h
We assign a vetted, curriculum-specialist tutor to your exact exam board and year group. Typically confirmed within 48 to 72 hours.
First session — every session protected
Session one includes a diagnostic. If a session doesn't meet your expectations for tutor knowledge or professionalism, we will refund it in full.
How much does exam preparation tutoring cost in Switzerland?
Three tiers based on tutor experience. Online and at-home are the same price. All rates are per hour, excluding 8.1% Swiss VAT.
| Tier | Rate (excl. VAT) | Best suited for | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Languages | CHF 79/h | Language subjects, foundational support | Online or at-home |
| Experienced tutors | CHF 89/h | IB, IGCSE, A-Level, Gymi, Matura | Online or at-home |
| Most accomplished tutors | CHF 99/h | IB HL, high-stakes prep, advanced subjects | Online or at-home |
| ✓ Refund policy: If a session doesn't meet your expectations for tutor knowledge or professionalism, we will refund it in full. | |||
| At-home or online — same price, same standards. Free cancellation until 17:00 the day before. All prices excluding 8.1% Swiss VAT. | |||
Full pricing at goodtutorsfinder.ch/prices/. Most families find that 1.5-hour sessions work well for exam preparation.
Which cities does Good Tutors Finder cover for exam preparation?
Exam preparation tutors across six Swiss cities — at-home or online, at the same price.
Frequently asked questions about exam preparation in Switzerland
What if the tutor doesn't meet our expectations?
If a session doesn't meet your expectations for tutor knowledge or professionalism, we will refund it in full. This applies to any session — not only the first. There are no asterisks on those two grounds. If the tutor is not the right fit for any reason, we can also arrange a reassignment quickly and without hassle.
How quickly will a tutor be assigned?
Most assignments are confirmed within 48 to 72 hours of submitting the booking form. We review curriculum, subject, year group, and target exam before proposing a tutor. Once submitted, we'll confirm everything by WhatsApp — including the tutor's credentials and proposed schedule.
Can we cancel a session?
Free cancellation until 17:00 the day before. There is no long-term commitment — families can pause or stop at any time. Both the Tutoring Plan (monthly billing) and Pay As You Go follow the same cancellation rule.
How is the tutor assigned to the right curriculum and exam board?
When you submit the booking form you specify the curriculum, subject, and year group. Our team assigns a tutor with specific experience in that exact curriculum and exam board — not a subject generalist. For IB, the tutor will have worked with HL and SL distinctions, IA requirements, and IBO marking criteria for that subject.
How far in advance should exam preparation begin?
For IB May examinations, families at ZIS, ICS Zurich, Geneva English School, and ISL often begin subject-specific preparation in January or February, with IA support starting in September. For IGCSE and A-Level, six to eight weeks before examinations is a common and effective starting point. For Gymi preparation, most families begin six to twelve months before the March exam. Families often see steady progress within a few weeks of regular sessions.
Is online exam preparation as effective as at-home?
At-home or online — same price, same standards. For exam preparation, online sessions work well for the majority of subjects. Past papers are reviewed via shared screen; essay and structured-answer feedback transfers cleanly to an online format. See all FAQ questions →
Do you support IB IA, Extended Essay, and TOK?
Yes. Tutors assigned for IB exam preparation can support Internal Assessment planning and drafting, Extended Essay structure and subject-specific guidance, and TOK essay and exhibition preparation. IB IA marks are submitted before the May examination session, so early support is particularly valuable.
How many sessions per week do families typically book?
Most families find that 1.5-hour sessions work well — enough time to cover a concept properly, practise it, and complete a timed exercise. During intensive exam periods, some families increase to two sessions per week per subject. There is no minimum commitment. More questions →
Ready to start exam preparation?
Degree-qualified, curriculum-specialist tutors for IB, IGCSE, A-Level, AP, Swiss Matura, and Gymi — across Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Zug, and Bern. Assignment typically within 48 to 72 hours.
