Hey everyone,
I’ve just passed the Grundkenntnistest in the city of Zurich (100%), so I wanted to give back a bit since reading posts here really helped me prepare.
Here’s how it went for me:
- I received the invitation by post about 1 month before the test. The letter included a link where I could book my slot online from available dates.
- In my case, the earliest available appointment was about 4 weeks later. Every sooner date was fully booked.
- The test took place at Stadthaus Zürich.
- There were around 15 people taking the test at the same time.
About the test itself:
- Questions were exactly the same as in the official question catalogue.
- There were 50 randomly selected questions.
- Passing score is 60%.
- The test is done on a tablet.
- Results are shown immediately after finishing.
Most people finished quite quickly (around 5–15 minutes) and were allowed to leave the room right away.
Before the test:
- They check your passport/ID to confirm identity.
- There was a short introduction in Hochdeutsch, explaining:
- rules of the test
- what happens next in the process
They mentioned that the remaining process usually takes around 8–10 months.
Also, the invoice will be sent shortly after the test.
Interview:
They said that in the city of Zurich there is generally no personal interview anymore, but they reserve the right to invite someone if they have additional questions.
Overall impression:
The staff were very friendly and helpful, answered all questions if needed, and even congratulated people who passed.
Timeline (for reference):
- Application submitted: 07/2025
- Test invitation received: 03/2026
- Grundkenntnistest: 04/2026
Hope this helps someone going through the process — feel free to ask if you have questions!
Now a question from my side:
If anyone here has already passed the Grundkenntnistest — how long did you roughly wait to receive the letter confirming citizenship from the city of Zurich?