Final examination

The final examination (which was previously called the final apprenticeship examination) forms part of the qualification procedure that is regulated in the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Ordinance (VPETO) and in the VET Ordinance of the respective profession. It takes place towards the end of the VET programme. It is a means of ascertaining whether a learner has acquired the competences set forth in the training plan. The employer registers the learner for the examination and, if necessary, sets aside the premises, tools and equipment needed to complete the examination work. This is done free of charge.

The process modules that are completed before the end of the apprenticeship may be graded if the VET ordinance provides for a partial examination. The grades obtained are included in the grades of the final examination. If the grades are insufficient, the partial examinations may be repeated twice.

Adults who have acquired competences by some other means may also take the final examination as a means of validating their experience and work; they must prove that they have at least five years of work experience and, if the provisions of the VET ordinance require this, that they have worked for a certain period of time in the occupation in question. Students from recognised private training institutions may also undergo the qualification procedure. Candidates may be exempted from certain portions of the final examination if they have already successfully completed another dual-track or school-based VET programme.

The qualification procedure with a final examination is deemed to be successful when the passing grade laid down in the VET ordinance has been achieved.

If candidates do not pass the final examination, they have the right to consult the documents that concern them. In certain cantons, it is possible for candidates to also consult the documents if they have passed. The VET office can organise a meeting between the VET trainer, the learner and/or their legal representative, as well as a representative from the Board of Examiners. Such a meeting allows for the reasons for failure to be ascertained and thus create the bases for a successful repetition of the examination.

Unsuccessful competence areas may be repeated no more than two times. If the candidate repeats the examination without having extended their apprenticeship contract, they are no longer entitled to receive their salary from the host company or employer.

If the learner is prevented from taking the final examination due to health concerns, he/she must prove this by sending a medical certificate to the competent authority. If the learner is prevented from taking the examination due to other unforeseeable reasons (e. g. a death in the family), the competent authority must be informed thereof as quickly as possible. The authority shall generally endeavour to organise a possible retaking of the examination during the same year.

Competence areas
Three competence areas are generally stipulated in the VET ordinance. They are respectively practical work, technical knowledge and language, communication and society (LCS). Other competence areas may be regulated depending on the profession.

Practical work
Practical work can be broken down into two parts: an individual practical project (IPP) and a pre-assigned examination project (PEP).

• Individual practical project (IPP) The examination is held in the host company in accordance with the task indicated by the company. The candidate’s immediate supervisor prepares the wording of the work to be examined (with the learner’s assistance) and submits it to be assessed by the board of examiners. The candidate devotes a certain number of hours to the IPP in the company and keeps a work logbook.
   
• The supervisor reviews completion and the result of the work to be examined and suggests an assessment. During an occupational interview, the candidate presents his / her IPP to the board of examiners. The latter and the supervisor reach an agreement on the final grade to be awarded for the work done.
   
• Pre-assigned examination project (PEP) In certain occupations, practical work is not individual but pre-assigned. Two examiners observe the candidate's work for the duration of the examination. All candidates complete the same work in accordance with the provisions laid down in the VET ordinance (positions and duration of the test).

Technical knowledge
The examination on technical knowledge corresponds to the classroom instruction and theoretical portion of the final examination. The learner takes a written examination or a combination of written and oral examinations.

Language, communication and society (LCS)
For learners who started their training before 2026, this competence area is comprised of the performance grade in language, communication and society (LCS), the special project and the final examination. The final examination is not included in the case of a two-year VET programme.

• Special project for the special project (previously called the independent special project), learners deal with a subject of their choice. They may carry out the work alone or in groups. This work generally lasts for between 8 and 12 half days of three lessons each. To complete the special project of their choice, apprentices lay down objectives, plan work, search and gather documentation. The special project allows for various competences to be stimulated and assessed (e.g. work techniques and organisation, research and documentation, rational argument and reflection). In most cases, learners record the results of their work in writing. Finally, they present and defend their special project during an interview with two examiners.
   
• The final examination is held at the end of the VET programme. Depending on the VET school, it is either a written or an oral examination. It relates to the two learning areas “Language and Communication” and “Society”.

Amendments in accordance with the revised ordinance and revised core syllabus:
For learners who begin their training after 2026, the LCS competence area is comprised of the following parts:

• For the two-year VET programme, the LCS performance grade
• For the three- and four-year VET programme, the LCS performance grade, the final project and the final examination

In order to harmonize the LCS competence areas throughout Switzerland, the duration of the examination portions is now binding:

• The final project consists of developing a product over 25 to 35 working hours and a presentation,
• The final examination consists of an oral examination of 20 minutes or a written examination of 150 minutes.

It is also stipulated that a uniform type of examination must apply within a canton for the final examination - either written or oral.

The qualification procedure according to the SERI Ordinance on Minimum Requirements for Language, Communication and Society Instruction in VET programmes (2025) will take place for the first time in 2028 for two-year VET programmes and in 2029/2030 for three- or four-year VET programmes.

The qualification procedure according to the SERI Ordinance on Minimum Requirements for Language, Communication and Society Instruction in VET programmes (2006) will take place for the last time in 2029 for two-year VET programmes and in 2030/2031 for three- or four-year VET programmes. 

The previous law (2006) will continue to apply until 2037 at the latest for VET programmes where Language, Communication and Society Instruction is fully or partially integrated into vocational instruction.

Qualification procedure for VET programmes in commerce starting in 2018
The final examination for the VET programme in commerce includes a portion devoted to practice and a portion devoted to theory. The practical portion is comprised of written and oral examinations.  The performance grade is obtained from working and learning situations (WLS), process modules (PMs) and competence records of branch courses. It represents half of the final grade for the practical portion. The depth and expansion of knowledge modules (D&E) are part of the theory portion.

• Working and learning situations (WLS) The VET trainer assesses the apprentice’s performance and behaviour in the company on the basis of pre-established criteria. WLS are similar to interviews to discuss the training report.
• Process modules (PMs) The process modules can be used to test process-oriented and cross-divisional thoughts and actions in connection with practical workflows. It is possible to replace two PMs with two competence records from branch courses.
• Depth and expansion of knowledge modules (D&E) Depth and expansion of knowledge modules are scheduled for the 2nd and/or 3rd year of the VET programme. Emphasis is placed on the areas of ICA (information, communication and administration) and B&S (business and society).

Qualification procedure for VET programmes in commerce (VET Diploma) starting in 2023
A new VET ordinance has been applicable for VET programmes in commerce from the start of 2023. The qualification procedure is based on a training model oriented towards professional competence and comprises the following areas:

1. Practical work

The practical examination takes the form of industry-specific, supervised case work at a central location in the local language.

2. Technical knowledge and LCS

Language, communication and society is not separate, but is integrated in the professional competences. The school examinations cover both specific and language, communication and society competences.

3. Performance grade

This is made up of assessments from the host company, the VET school and the branch courses.

Passing grades
Passing grades define the criteria (grades) that candidates must obtain in order to pass qualification procedure with a final examination. Each VET ordinance stipulates the passing grades, the calculation and weighting of the grades. The qualification procedure is deemed to be successful if the overall grade is equal to or higher than 4.0. The grade for practical work is more often than not eliminatory. In the case where formal and informal learning is validated, the grades are replaced by the words “successful” or “unsuccessful”.