Verification of the Attainment of Basic Competencies (ÜGK)

The Verification of the Attainment of Basic Competencies (Überprüfung der Grundkompetenzen, ÜGK) is a nationwide assessment of performance in mandatory education using Swiss measurement instruments and is intended to show the extent to which the national educational goals are being achieved in each canton. In addition to standardised achievement tests, a questionnaire is used to record individual characteristics of the students as well as other contextual characteristics relevant to education. The Large-Scale Assessment (LSA) provides important information for national education monitoring.

The LSA is carried out in different subject areas (school language, mathematics, science, foreign languages) and in different school years (4th, 8th or 11th HarmoS). The basic competencies are based on the national education goals adopted by the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) in 2011. The acquisition of these basic competencies is considered a key prerequisite for further educational processes and for the future participation of students in society.

ÜGK is commissioned by the cantonal departments of education. As part of its research collaboration with the EDK, the ICER is responsible for coordinating the ÜGK.