A Guide to Czech High School Admissions
- Mgr. Lucie Kristlová, MBA
- 9. 5.
- Minut čtení: 4
Aktualizováno: 17. 5.
For many international families living in the Czech Republic, the Czech school admission system can feel confusing at first. Terms like CERMAT, DiPSy, gymnázium or přijímačky are often completely new and difficult to understand.
This guide will help you understand how Czech high school admissions work and what parents should know before applying.
What Happens After Elementary School in the Czech Republic?
Students in the Czech Republic usually apply to secondary schools during the 9th grade of elementary school.
At around age 15, students choose which type of secondary school they want to attend. The most common options are:
Grammar schools (Gymnázium)
Technical secondary schools (Střední odborné školy)
Business academies (Obchodní akademie)
Vocational schools and training programs (Učiliště)
Some students also apply earlier to multi year grammar schools such as osmileté gymnázium (eight year grammar school) or šestileté gymnázium (six year grammar school) at age 11 or 13.
The admission process is often highly competitive, especially in Prague and other larger cities.
Common Czech Terms Parents Should Know
When navigating the Czech education system, international families often hear specific Czech terms that may sound confusing at first.
Here are some of the most common ones:
Střední škola
The Czech term for “secondary school” or “high school.”
Students usually start střední škola around age 15 after finishing elementary school.
Depending on the type of school, studies typically last:
4 years,
6 years,
or 8 years.
At the end of some secondary schools, students complete a final exam called maturita, which is required for university applications.
Gymnázium
A Czech grammar school focused mainly on academic education and preparation for university studies.
Osmileté gymnázium
An “eight year grammar school” for students who apply around age 11 after the 5th grade of elementary school.
These schools are usually very competitive and academically demanding.
Šestileté gymnázium
A “six year grammar school” for students applying around age 13 after the 7th grade.
Čtyřleté gymnázium
A standard four year grammar school starting after the 9th grade.
Maturita
A final secondary school exam similar to graduation exams or A levels.
Students usually take maturita at the end of secondary school if they want to continue to university.
CERMAT
The official organization responsible for standardized entrance exams in the Czech Republic.
DiPSy
The official online admission system used for secondary school applications.
Přijímačky
A common informal Czech word for entrance exams.
Czech High School Admissions and CERMAT Exams
CERMAT is the official organization responsible for standardized entrance exams in the Czech Republic.
Most students applying to Czech high schools must complete centralized entrance exams prepared by CERMAT.
The exams usually include:
Czech language
Mathematics
The results from these tests play a major role in the admission process.
Some schools may also include:
school grades,
interviews,
talent exams,
or extra points for competitions and certificates.
What Is DiPSy?
DiPSy is the official online application system used for Czech secondary school admissions.
Through DiPSy, parents can:
submit applications,
choose school preferences,
track admission results,
and manage the entire process online.
For many international parents, DiPSy can initially feel difficult to navigate, especially if they are not familiar with the Czech education system.
How Many Schools Can Students Apply To?
Students can apply to multiple schools at the same time.
Parents select schools in order of preference and submit applications electronically through DiPSy.
Because students can apply to several schools, admission statistics can sometimes be misleading. A school may receive many applications, but not all applicants necessarily prefer that school as their first choice.
How Important Are Entrance Exam Results?
In many schools, entrance exam results are extremely important.
Popular schools in Prague often require very high scores because competition is strong.
Even a difference of a few points can decide whether a student is accepted or not.
That is why many families begin preparing months in advance through:
individual tutoring,
preparation courses,
mock exams,
and regular practice.
When Should Students Start Preparing?
Preparation ideally starts several months before the entrance exams. Most students begin serious preparation between September and December, depending on their current level and target schools.
The earlier students start, the less stressful the process usually becomes. Consistent practice and understanding the CERMAT exam style are often more important than memorization alone.
What Happens If a Student Is Not Accepted?
Not being accepted in the first round does not mean the end of the process. There are usually additional admission rounds where schools with available places open new applications.
Parents can also file an appeal in certain situations. The most important thing is to stay calm and react quickly once results are published.
Final Thoughts
The Czech high school admission system may seem complicated at first, especially for international families. However, with the right information and preparation, the process becomes much easier to understand.
If you are unsure how the system works, how to choose schools, or how to prepare effectively for the entrance exams, professional guidance can make the entire process significantly less stressful.
At Top Learning, I help Czech and international families navigate Czech school admissions, entrance exams and academic preparation with confidence.
Mgr. Lucie Kristlová, MBA has long specialized in preparing students for Czech high school and multi year grammar school entrance exams. She helps families navigate the admission process and create a preparation plan that is both effective and results driven.
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