The final exam year.

The final exam year is an exciting but also fun year for your child with many festive traditions. The diploma ceremony, flag day, and maybe a prom: what can you as a parent expect from these moments?

The diploma ceremony

During the diploma ceremony your child receives the diploma and the grade list. The school principal hands these out. The diploma is the official proof that your child met the final exam requirements.

The diploma shows your child’s name, date of birth, place of birth, which final exam was completed, and at which school. The date on the diploma is the date of the ceremony. Your child also gets the grade list. The date on the grade list is when the results were decided. Your child can sign it, and after that, there is usually time to talk.

Read what the passing requirements are

Flag day

The day students get their final exam results is called flag day. You can see flags everywhere, often with a backpack or even school books hanging. This means a student living there passed the final exam. The school bag shows the end of secondary school and getting the diploma.

It is nice for your child to show the neighbourhood they graduated. Rules about hanging the Dutch flag only apply to government buildings, not your home. So the flag can stay up as long as you and your child want.

The exam prank

At some schools, the exam prank is a yearly tradition. Usually, it happens on the last school day of the final exam year. It is a tradition where students close their secondary school time with funny acts. Think of filling a classroom with balloons, wrapping teachers’ chairs with toilet paper, or a water fight on the playground.

Usually, the pranks are fun and creative, but sometimes things go wrong. Some acts cause safety concerns. The school then stops the prank. Luckily, it is mostly a fun, unforgettable day where students can forget their exam stress for a while.

The final exam prom

The final exam prom is part of the final exam year at many schools. Everyone who took the final exam can join. Several teachers from that year also come to the prom.

This tradition has been in the Netherlands for about twenty years. It is a party night with a band or dj where everyone wears formal outfits. Family and friends can watch the students arrive. Special transport is often arranged, such as a luxury car or a classic car. Some students arrive in something different, like a tractor, tandem, or scooter.

Talk with your child about what suits them. Formal outfits can be bought in specialty shops or second-hand stores with many options. It is also possible to rent or borrow outfits.

See frequently asked questions about the exam