Relaxations rules state exams.

Relaxations rules state exams.

For the students who will take the state exams next year (in 2023), two easing measures apply to the exam rules. These candidates have the thumb rule and an extra retake. This is needed because of the effects of corona on education. This was announced by minister Dennis Wiersma (Primary and Secondary Education) in a parliamentary letter.

What does the thumb rule mean again? It means that state exam candidates can remove one bad grade from 2020, 2021, or 2022 if this helps them get their diploma. Core subjects are excluded and always count. Core subjects are for vmbo: Dutch; havo: Dutch, English, and math; vwo: Dutch, English, and math.

Extra retake

Furthermore, this group may take one extra retake. This extra retake is on top of the existing retake option. This makes the total number of retakes two. These measures are needed to compensate for the effects of corona. “During the peak of the corona pandemic, many lessons were missed. You also experienced this if you are taking the state exam,” says the minister in an explanation.

Regular exams

The easing measures apply only to state exam candidates. These are students in secondary special education, candidates not enrolled in a regular secondary school, students who want certificates for individual subjects, or adults who want to earn a diploma. It is not yet clear if there will be measures for regular vmbo, havo, and vwo exams. This will be announced at the end of this year.

Improvement program

In the long term, improvements are needed for the state exams. The College for Tests and Exams (CvTE) is looking at options such as spreading the exams more throughout the school year and using vso teachers during the exams. More information on this will follow later.

More information

You can find more information about the exams in our Knowledge Base. Want to know more about developments around the exams? Or have questions? Ask via email: vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or by phone: 088-6050101. We are available on weekdays from 09.30-12.30 and 13.00-16.00.