Czech Secondary School Admissions 2027: Dates, Exam, Exemption

Applications to Czech secondary schools for the 2027/28 school year are filed from February 1 to February 22, 2027, online in DiPSy or on paper, for up to three programs without a talent exam and two with one. The unified entrance exam takes place on April 12–13, 2027 (four-year programs) and April 14–15 (six- and eight-year gymnázia); results come out on May 14. A child schooled abroad can ask to skip the Czech exam under § 20(4) of Act 561/2004 Sb.; international schools in Prague do not count as abroad. Around Prague checked the Education Act, Decree 422/2023 Sb. and the MŠMT and CERMAT materials on official websites on November 10, 2026.

For parents of children finishing grade 9, or applying to an eight-year gymnázium after grade 5 or a six-year one after grade 7. This is not legal advice: the school principal decides each case.

Key dates for 2027

Step by step for parents

1. Choose programs

You apply to a specific program (obor vzdělání): a gymnázium, another program ending with the maturita exam, or an apprenticeship ending with a výuční list. The unified exam applies to all maturita programs except those with a talent exam (sports gymnázia still take it) and shortened programs.

2. Rank your choices

Up to three programs without a talent exam and two with one (§ 60a), five at most including conservatories. The order is your preference and is locked after the deadline. Deferred acceptance (mechanismus odloženého přijetí) admits your child to the highest-ranked program where the score is enough, and to no other. MŠMT says an ambitious first choice does not hurt the second and third, so list your real preferences.

3. Apply between February 1 and 22

For a minor, the parent or legal guardian (zákonný zástupce) applies.

• Online in DiPSy (dipsy.gov.cz), signing in with Identita občana: bank identity, eObčanka, the Mobilní klíč eGovernmentu app or a datová schránka. One application covers all programs, and drafts cannot be saved. For a school abroad, pick "Škola v zahraničí / nebo není v seznamu".
• On paper: the ministry form goes to each school, with the same order of programs on every form.

4. Watch for invitations

On March 1, CERMAT picks one of your maturita schools as the exam venue. Invitations to exams and interviews arrive at least 14 days ahead. A document in DiPSy counts as delivered when you log in, or after 10 days.

The unified entrance exam

• Two written tests: Czech language and literature (60 minutes) and math (70 minutes), 50 points each.
• Two attempts, even with one maturita program; the better score in each test counts.
• The exam is at least 60% of the assessment; the rest is the school's criteria.
• Allowed: a blue or black pen, plus a pencil and drawing tools for math. No calculators, tables or dictionaries.
• A sick child sends an excuse within 3 working days and sits the exam on April 29–30.
• Start times will be set by January 15, 2027; CERMAT has not published them yet.

Foreign pupils and the Czech exemption

Non-EU nationals are admitted on the same terms if they live in Czechia legally (§ 20(2)). Residence is checked by the start of studies, and MŠMT says proof of a filed application is enough.

Under § 20(4), the principal waives the Czech exam on request if the child attends a school abroad in the year of application and did so in at least 1 of the 3 previous school years, or attended a school abroad in at least 2 of the 3 previous years. For 2027 applications those are 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 (our calculation). Tick the request in the application and attach report cards with a translation or a letter from the foreign school.

An exempted child skips the Czech test and gets 25% more time and a translation dictionary for the rest (electronic only on a device without internet, not a phone). Czech is checked by an interview (rozhovor) at each school and program: pass or fail, within the basic-school curriculum. MŠMT has published a sample.

International schools in Prague do not count as abroad: CERMAT states that their certificates do not qualify. These children can get the new VJ category (since September 1, 2026) from a school counseling center (školské poradenské zařízení): 25% more time and a dictionary, but the Czech test stays, and VJ cannot be combined with § 20(4).

Nostrification is usually not needed: after nine years of compulsory schooling, schools cannot require it. Exceptions are in our nostrification guide.

Ukrainians with temporary protection

Holders of temporary protection or the special long-term residence (code 670 on the card) fall under Act 67/2022 Sb. and MŠMT measure ref. MSMT-525/2026-23. We could not find the measure itself online on November 10, 2026; the terms below come from MŠMT and CERMAT documents:

• missing report cards or proof of schooling can be replaced by a čestné prohlášení, a signed declaration (§ 5 of Act 67/2022 Sb.);
• a medical certificate, if required, must come from a doctor in Czechia;
• those who meet § 20(4) can ask for the Czech exemption;
• the others automatically get 25% more time and a dictionary if they attach a copy of the protection sticker or card;
• this does not stack with VJ or § 20(4).

Documents

• report cards, if the school uses grades;
• proof of completed compulsory schooling (can follow by September 1);
• a medical certificate if the program requires one (valid for a year);
• a counseling-center recommendation (VJ or other support);
• proof of schooling abroad for the exemption.

Foreign documents go in as plain copies with a Czech translation. It need not be certified (§ 60a(6)), and MŠMT says parents can translate themselves; the principal may ask for an official one if in doubt.

Results, appeals and later rounds

On May 14, 2027, schools publish results by registration number; DiPSy shows scores and answer sheets. In rounds 1 and 2 nothing needs confirming: the zápisový lístek was abolished in 2024.

Appeals go to the principal within 3 working days, not through DiPSy. By our calculation the last day is Wednesday, May 19, 2027. In Prague, the City Hall (Magistrát hl. m. Prahy) decides.

Round 2 has no unified exam; round 1 scores count. Applications run May 19–24, results come on June 22. You can apply if your child was not admitted or gave up the place (vzdání se práva na přijetí) by the day the new school receives the application. From round 3, admitted applicants confirm within 3 working days.

Conservatories and English-language options

Conservatory applications run November 1–30, 2026, with exams January 2–17 and results on February 8, 2027. For English-language programs, see our guide to international schools in Prague.

Czech secondary school admissions: FAQ

Can we apply before the residence permit is issued?

Yes. Residence is checked by the start of studies.

Is a pupil of an international school in Prague exempt from the Czech test?

No. Ask for the VJ category: more time and a dictionary, but the Czech test stays.

Can we change the order of schools later?

Not after February 22; you can only withdraw the application by May 4.

Sources: Act 561/2004 Sb., Decree 422/2023 Sb., Act 67/2022 Sb., MŠMT: exam dates, MŠMT: methodology, MŠMT: applicants from abroad, MŠMT: sample interview, CERMAT: guide 2027, CERMAT: unified exam, CERMAT: schooled abroad, prihlaskynastredni.cz. MŠMT help line: +420 771 230 700. Checked on November 10, 2026.

See also: Grade 1 enrollment (zápis), Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking schools, Identita občana, Datová schránka, Free Czech courses, Temporary protection.

Photo: Gymnázium Botičská in Prague's New Town. ŠJů, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

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