Everything about the test itself – questions, error points, duration, validity, how to register in each canton – is on the main page Theory test Switzerland; for revision: the best apps compared.
After I had handed in my application for the car Lernfahrausweis (learner’s permit) and received my reference number, I registered for the theory test. A few weeks earlier I had already bought a decent piece of revision software and worked through the official test questions several times. So I was thoroughly prepared.
Choosing the right theory revision software really matters. We have compared all the learning programmes in the article «Theory programmes compared».
Even so, on the evening before the test I went through every question once more, checking that I had actually understood everything and was not just reciting it from memory. As recommended, I also ran several mock tests, successfully. It all went well, with only 1-2 mistakes each time. So I could go to the test relaxed.
Of course a faint feeling of doubt stayed with me: «have I really revised enough? I hope I won’t have a blackout during the test because I’m so nervous? Am I in the right place at the right time? And so on.» I still slept well, though. After all, you can repeat the theory test as often as you like, even if I had done everything I could to make sure it would not come to that.
How to prepare properly for the theory test is explained in the articles «Tips for the theory test» and «Mistakes in the theory test».
The next day, when I arrived at the MFK (Motorfahrzeugkontrolle, the cantonal vehicle licensing office) where the test room was, I first had to show my confirmation of admission to the theory test and my ID card. Then I was sent to the waiting room. At 14h sharp the invigilator opened the door to the test room. Everyone could pick a seat with a computer on it. Once everybody had logged in with their access details, the test could begin.
The theory test lasts exactly 45 minutes. You have to answer 50 questions. So I knew precisely that I had a maximum of 54 seconds per question (yes, I know. I’m a nerd). That ought to be enough. One more deep breath in and out, meditation of a sort, and off I went. I was not nervous any more. Why would I be – there was nothing left to change. Either I pass or I don’t. The only thing that helps is to tackle the situation calmly and with full concentration.
So I started with question 1. I was pleasantly surprised straight away: not only did the test look exactly like the revision software in its design, the question itself was immediately familiar too. I had even seen the picture before. «Nice», I thought. That took away the last of my nervousness and doubt.
Now all I had to do was stay focused: read the questions carefully, understand them and answer them thoroughly. The questions were multiple choice, just like in the learning programme. In practice that meant: each question had a picture, a question text and three possible answers with checkboxes, of which (watch out!) several can be right or wrong. If several statements apply to a particular traffic situation, all of them have to be ticked. Every wrong tick costs one error point, so a maximum of three per question. There are 150 points to be had in total. You need at least 135 to pass the theory test. There is never a question with no correct answer at all (which would make no sense either). The 54 seconds are actually well judged. Most of the time 20 seconds were enough, even when reading the questions two or three times to be safe. That does of course assume you have revised enough. Then you know very quickly what is right and what is wrong. There were one or two questions where I was unsure. I simply skipped those, kept them for the end and then worked them out by elimination.
After about 30 minutes I had already been through the whole test. As I still had a little time left and only two or three of the other candidates had finished, I decided to go through all the questions once more, with the aim of not second-guessing myself into new mistakes but only of catching any careless slips. Then I said to myself: «that’s enough, I’m handing it in, it’ll be fine somehow».
I clicked «finish test» and went to the front to the invigilator, who could look up straight away whether I had passed. I have to admit I was nervous at that point. But the reassuring words came immediately from the examiner: «Congratulations, you have passed, and with zero errors. Would you like to look at the breakdown?». There was a computer at the front where everyone could go through their answer sheets again. That obviously makes sense if you have not passed the theory test: you can see where your weak spots are and what you still need to practise. With no errors it is not necessary, so I said: «No, but thank you very much. Have a nice day». And then it was all over.
The Lernfahrausweis arrived in the post a week later. I was really relieved that everything had gone so smoothly. And now I know: fear or panic does not make it easier, it makes it harder. Anyone can take the test as often as they like. And if you prepare well, you need not worry about running out of time either. It was a manageable task that so many people before me have mastered, and now I have too.
In case you were wondering: this is what a typical test question looks like:
