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Failed and now?.
Your child did not pass the final exam. What now? Can you still help your child pass this year? Can your child repeat the exam year? And what are the other options? We give you an overview of the choices.
Did not pass the exam
If your child did not pass the final exam, that is very disappointing. Both you and your child may feel sad and stressed. Luckily, there are still ways to get a diploma or continue learning. Sometimes there is a mistake in the exam or your child can still retake to get the diploma.
If your child is definitively failed, it may be possible to repeat the exam year, follow the September route, or retake some subjects through the adult education program. The state exam or a switch to mbo are also options. We explain them below.
Viewing and correction
Your child has the right to see the completed work. The school must keep the work for six months. It is important to learn from mistakes to prepare better for a possible retake exam.
It can also be smart to review the work for other reasons. Even though two correctors check the work, mistakes can happen. For example, in giving points or adding scores.
Retakes
Not every student passes the final exam the first time. Sometimes your child can still get the diploma by retaking a subject. The school usually advises which subject your child should retake. All students have the right to one retake. This is true even if your child has already passed or failed.
Repeating the year
Most students who fail repeat the exam year. This means your child repeats all subjects from the school year. Also, the subjects your child already passed. Always check the school guide for the school rules about repeating the exam year.
September route or regulation
At vmbo-tl, havo, and vwo the combination grade is part of the exam rules. You can find which subjects and grades count for the combination grade in the exam rules and the testing and completion program of the school.
Would your child have passed with a higher combination grade? The September route of the adult education program can be a solution. Through the adult education program, your child can redo parts of the combination grade and raise it.
Once the combination grade is high enough for a diploma, your child can still get the diploma before October 1 and start further study. You can ask at the adult education program about the options and costs.
Vavo and Rutte-regeling
Sometimes your child can get a vmbo-t, havo or vwo diploma through adult education (vavo). At vavo, your child only gets lessons in subjects where they have a failing grade. The grades for subjects already passed stay the same.
Note: Vavo is mainly for students aged 18 and older. Much more independence is expected than at a regular secondary school. Students aged 18 and older can register themselves at vavo. You as a parent (or your child) must pay for this yourself.
However, it is also possible for 16- and 17-year-old students to follow subjects at vavo. Your child then stays registered at a regular secondary school. That school outsources the teaching to vavo. This is called the ‘Rutte-regeling’.
The vavo institution takes the final exam and issues the diploma. The exam is the same. The diplomas have the same value. Not every secondary school wants to cooperate because they remain responsible for your child.
To mbo
If your child is 16 or older, they can change to mbo. Does your child have a transfer certificate from 3 to 4 havo or vwo? Then your child can enter mbo level 4. Without a transfer certificate, your child can also go to mbo level 1 or mbo level 2. Your child often has other transfer options at mbo. Do you want more information? You can best ask the mbo school.
State exam
Sometimes you can still get the diploma through a state exam. For example, if your child cannot go to another secondary school, or if your child failed vmbo but can start mbo. With the state exam, your child takes exams in separate subjects that can be combined into a diploma.
Did not pass exam and older than 18?
Did your child turn 18 in the exam year? Then your child does not have to go to school because of the law. That does not mean the school can just say your child is no longer welcome. Always check the school guide for rules about repeating the exam year.
Questions or personal advice?
Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.
Starting at primary school.
What your child needs may vary per school. Most schools will require you to have at least:
- A backpack
- Drinking bottle and lunch box
- A gym bag with gym shoes (usually with white soles) and gym clothes
Other points to consider are:
- Dress your child in comfortable clothing and shoes. This will help with going to the toilet, during gym lessons, and playing outside.
- Always check with the school if your child needs any other items.
You do not pay tuition fees for primary school. The school may ask for a voluntary parental contribution for activities such as outings and extra activities. You do have to pay for private schools and after-school care. Read more about school costs here.
From 3 years and 10 days, your child can start getting used to primary school. Your child can get used to it for a maximum of 5 days. These can be full days or half days. Check with the school how this is arranged.
From 4 years old, your child can officially start at primary school. An exception can be made to this rule, for example, if your child is further developed. The school will assess whether your child can start at primary school earlier.
Educational disadvantages arise when your child does not have the same level of knowledge and skills as peers. This can occur in different areas, such as language, mathematics, reading, writing, and social skills.
Yes, this is allowed. Primary schools receive extra funding from the government to help children with (a risk of) an educational disadvantage. The school requests information from you as a parent to find out if your child has (a risk of) an educational disadvantage. You are not obliged to answer the questions.
AOB stands for ‘Achterstand in Onderwijs en Begeleiding’ (Educational and Guidance Disadvantage). If your child is an AOB student, more support is often needed in education due to language barriers, learning difficulties, or socio-emotional challenges. Read more about educational disadvantages here.
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