Central final exams will take place.

Central final exams will take place.

The central final exams will take place this year. Last year they were canceled because of the coronavirus. This year, students can spread out their exams because of corona, as changes are made in the time slots. Also, everyone will get an extra retake, even students taking the secondary school transition test.

Spreading

Students in secondary education can divide their exams over a longer period. They may spread their exams over two time slots. This means a student who is sick or in quarantine during the first time slot can still take the full exam. Also, the regular second time slot has been extended from four days to ten days. To make sure students can finish their retakes after the second time slot, there will be a third time slot at schools after the second one ends. This means the final result date for students taking the third time slot moves from July 2 to July 15.

Final objectives

The final objectives for the exams stay the same. Exam students can be tested on the full curriculum and their results are judged not only by the school (school exam) but also independently (central exam). The minister wants to reduce inequality in education this way.

Standard setting

Because of the corona situation, it is not possible to apply the standard setting like in other years. Therefore, there is relative standard setting, using historical data and the teachers’ opinions about the exam’s difficulty to determine the final grade. You can read more in the letter minister Slob sent to the House of Representatives about this.

Secondary school transition test

Students and diploma candidates of the secondary school transition test get an extra retake for a central exam. They retake their central exams during the third time slot of the secondary school transition test in August, after the college exams finish. Candidates going for a diploma in 2021 can retake all parts (central exam and all parts of the college exam) of two subjects if this helps them get their diploma. This allows candidates to retake an extra central exam and an extra college exam compared to a regular year. Also, if a candidate wants, a personal teacher or trusted person can be present during the college exam. Secondary school transition test candidates retake their central exams during the third time slot of the secondary school transition test in August, after the college exams.

Earlier changes

Students need more time to prepare well for final exams. That’s why the deadline for submitting school exam results was extended earlier. For vmbo exams, it was already decided that the vocational profile subject will be finished this school year with a school exam instead of a central written and practical exam.

Role of Ouders & Onderwijs

Ouders & Onderwijs was closely involved in decisions about the central exams recently. We argued that students should get the best chances and supported the plan to hold the central exams. We are happy with the option to spread exams and to start in the second time slot. Candidates for the secondary school transition test who want several partial certificates instead of a diploma cannot retake exams. Ouders & Onderwijs finds this unfair and has asked the ministry to change it. This has not yet been granted.

More information

You can find more information about exams in secondary education in our Knowledge Base. Answers to frequently asked questions about corona in education are in our FAQ. For personal advice you can call our advice point at 088-6050101 or send a message to vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl