Advice for Parents · 28 September 2026
Rac 1 and Rac 2 bridging classes in the canton of Vaud: conditions, points and outcomes
One more year after the 11th in the voie générale, two different destinations. The official 2026 conditions: 12 to 15 points for Rac 1 depending on levels, three level 2 subjects and the VP thresholds for Rac 2, what is studied, what must be passed and why it all starts in the 10th year.
By The SOS teaching team9 min readReviewed by the teaching teamAfter the 11th year in the voie générale, a bridging year can still open the ECG or gymnasium. · Photo : Soutien-Omni-Scolaire
A student finishes the 11th year in the voie générale with a certificate, but the points are not enough for the school of general education (ECG), or the goal is gymnasium. For this case, the canton of Vaud provides an extra year within compulsory schooling: the bridging classes known as Rac 1 and Rac 2.
The two share a name but not a destination. This guide sets out the official conditions from the 2026 edition: who can enter, with how many points, what is studied, what must be passed and what it opens.
Rac 1 and Rac 2: the difference in one table
| Rac 1 | Rac 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | Student with a voie générale certificate | Student with a voie générale certificate and French, maths and German at level 2 |
| Admission | 12 to 15 points in French + maths + German, depending on levels | 46.5 points in the main group and 15 in the restricted group |
| Content | 32 to 34 periods, three subjects at level 2, consolidation | 34 periods, including an 8-period specific option |
| Pass | 28 and 12 points; 13.5 in French + maths + German for access to further programmes | 32 and 16 points |
| Leads to | ECG, business school, vocational maturité | Voie prégymnasiale certificate: gymnasium and every path |
The rule to remember fits in one sentence: Rac 1 prepares for the programmes open to the voie générale with better results, Rac 2 moves a student from the voie générale to the voie prégymnasiale, and therefore to gymnasium. And Rac 2 requires all three levelled subjects at level 2.
Entering Rac 1: between 12 and 15 points depending on levels
Admission is calculated on the end-of-11th-year voie générale certificate, using the total of French, maths and German. The threshold depends on the levels followed in these three subjects: the more level 2 subjects, the lower the threshold.
| Levels in French, maths and German | Minimum total for Rac 1 | For comparison: direct ECG access |
|---|---|---|
| Three at level 2 | 12 points | 13.5 points |
| Two at level 2, one at level 1 | 13 points | 14.5 points |
| One at level 2, two at level 1 | 14 points | Not provided |
| Three at level 1 | 15 points | Not provided |
The cantonal leaflet allows borderline cases, with at most half a point short. It is worth comparing these thresholds with those for direct access: from the voie générale certificate, the ECG, the business school and the vocational maturité require 13.5 points with three level 2 subjects, or 14.5 with two. A student who reaches them does not need Rac 1.
The Rac 1 year: consolidating at level 2
Rac 1 has 32 to 34 periods a week. French and maths have 6 periods each, German 4, and all three are taught at level 2. English, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, arts, physical education, one period on the world of work and 3 to 5 periods of level 2 consolidation complete the timetable.
To pass, a student needs 28 points in the main group of seven subjects and 12 points in the restricted group, with at most one point short per group. But the real target is higher: access to the ECG, business school and vocational maturité requires 13.5 points in French, maths and German.
Entering Rac 2: three level 2 subjects and the VP thresholds
Rac 2 is reserved for students who took French, maths and German at level 2. They then need 46.5 points in the main group of ten subjects and 15 points in the restricted group of the three levelled subjects, with at most half a point short per group.
These are exactly the thresholds for orientation into the voie prégymnasiale at the end of 8P. In other words, Rac 2 gives a second chance to a student oriented into the voie générale who, three years later, reaches the VP standard.
The Rac 2 year: a specific option and the VP certificate
Rac 2 has 34 periods a week. French and maths have 5 periods each, German and English 4, and the student chooses an 8-period specific option from four: maths and physics, economics and law, Italian, or Latin. That is the big change compared with the voie générale.
To pass, a student needs 32 points in the main group of eight subjects and 16 points in the restricted group of French, maths, German and the specific option, with at most half a point short per group. Success gives the voie prégymnasiale school-leaving certificate, which opens every post-compulsory path, from gymnasium to apprenticeship.
“Rac 2 is not decided in the 11th year: it is decided by levels, and levels are won in the 9th and 10th years.”
The SOS teaching team
A worked example
Take an 11th-year student in the voie générale: French level 2 with 5, maths level 2 with 4.5, German level 1 with 5. She has two level 2 subjects and one level 1, and a total of 14.5 points. Direct access to the ECG requires 14.5: she reaches it and does not need a bridging year.
She is, however, aiming for gymnasium. Rac 2 is closed to her because German is at level 1. The last chance to move up to level 2 in the voie générale is the end of the first semester of the 11th year, from an average of 5.5, or 5 on the teacher's recommendation. With 5 in German, she is exactly at the recommendation threshold. If she moves up in January, Rac 2 becomes possible again; if not, the door closes.
The timetable: registration is in January of the 11th year
Registration for the bridging classes takes place at the end of January of the 11th year, with the school the student attends, using a form available from the class teacher, the office or vd.ch. Admission is then decided on the end-of-year certificate results. The student must be no older than 17 on 31 July of the year of registration.
Attendance is free, and travel allowances are paid beyond 2.5 km from the place of teaching. The classes are hosted by several compulsory-school establishments across the canton. In exceptional cases, the department may grant exemptions on application.
Rac or no Rac: three questions to ask in the 11th year
First: are the direct-access points within reach? With three level 2 subjects and 13.5 points, or two and 14.5 points, the ECG is open without an extra year. Second: is the goal gymnasium? If so, only Rac 2 leads there from the voie générale, and it requires three level 2 subjects. Third: how much time is left? Between the start of the 11th year and January, one semester remains to move a level up or win the missing half-point.
How we support 11th-year and bridging-class students
At Soutien-Omni-Scolaire, we start with a free assessment that answers a precise question: which thresholds are within reach, in which subject, and by when. The student then works with a teacher who specialises in the subject, in French, maths or German, and in the specific option for Rac 2 students.
We welcome students at our centres in Vevey, Lausanne and Montreux, at home or online. Parents receive a written report after every session, and the work follows the real Vaud calendar: the end of the first semester of the 11th year, then the certificate.
Note: thresholds and procedures may change from one edition of the cantonal documents to the next, and their application rests with the school. If in doubt, the school management is the authority.
Going further
What actually changes
A specialist for each subject
Not a generalist covering everything: a teacher whose discipline it is, chosen after the assessment.
Every branch covered
Maths, French, German, English, sciences, economics and accounting, from primary school to the maturité.
Progress measured, not assumed
Every session is measured against the real Vaud thresholds: promotion points, levels, ECR, certificate.
A written report after every session
You know what was covered, what is secure and what still needs work. Without having to ask.
Soutien-Omni-Scolaire
Difficulties that persist?
A teacher who specialises in their subject, across every branch: maths, French, German, English, sciences, economics and accounting. From primary school to gymnasium, in centre, at home or online.
First conversation, no commitment
Parents' frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rac 1 and Rac 2?
Rac 1 prepares access to the ECG, business school and vocational maturité. Rac 2 leads to the voie prégymnasiale certificate, and therefore to gymnasium. Both are an extra year after the voie générale certificate.
How many points are needed to enter Rac 1?
Between 12 and 15 points in French, maths and German, depending on levels: 12 with three level 2 subjects, 13 with two, 14 with one, 15 with three at level 1. Borderline cases allow at most half a point short.
What are the admission conditions for Rac 2?
Having taken French, maths and German at level 2, and obtaining 46.5 points in the main group and 15 points in the restricted group, with at most half a point short per group.
When should a student register for a bridging class?
At the end of January of the 11th year, with the school attended. Admission is then decided on the end-of-year certificate results.
Does Rac 2 give access to gymnasium?
Yes. Passing it gives the voie prégymnasiale school-leaving certificate, which opens every post-compulsory path, from gymnasium to apprenticeship.
Are the bridging classes free?
Yes. Attendance is free, and travel allowances are paid to students living more than 2.5 km from the place of teaching.
The SOS teaching team
Tutoring · Canton of Vaud
A teaching team specialised in the Vaud school system: ECR preparation, VP and VG orientation, raccordement, gymnase entry and maturité. Centres in Vevey, Lausanne and Montreux.
Meet the SOS team →
