Final exams 2023 started: these are the rules.

Final exams 2023 started: these are the rules.

The first digital exams in secondary vocational education already started on April 3. Today the central exams start for many other students. What rules apply? Are there any adjustments due to Corona? Does the thumb rule still apply? And when has your child passed or failed?

Thumb rule and exam adjustments 2023

In recent years the requirements for the final exam were adjusted because of Corona with a special thumb rule. For the final exam 2023 the rules mostly return to normal. This means the thumb rule no longer applies this year.

There is also no extra retake possibility anymore. However, some other adjustments still apply this year:

• There is more time for exam retake in the second period. The testing period increases from 4 to 10 days.
• Secondary vocational education exams can be taken over a longer period: between April 3 and July 21, 2023. This applies for digital central exams and the centrally written and practical exams.

Thumb rule and extra retake at the state exam 2023

For students taking the state exam, there are still adjustments in the exam this year due to Corona. Sometimes they can still make use of the thumb rule. These are the changes that apply for 2023 for the state exam:

• Instead of one retake, a retake can be done in two subjects. The condition for the extra retake is that your child can still pass because of it.
• If your child already took state exams in 2020, 2021 and/or 2022 that count for the diploma, your child may also strike out the grade this year for one of those subjects. That grade does not count for the diploma. It cannot be a core subject.

New exam theme page

The exam period is an exciting time for you and your child. First of all, we wish all students good luck with their preparation and exams. We also wish all parents little stress and hard-working teenagers.

Do you still need some extra preparation? Need exam period tips for parents? Or do you have concrete questions? On our theme page you can read everything you want to know about the exam. You can always contact our advice point as well.