Skopje, 5 August 2025 (MIA) – The average grade from the two external state graduation exams taken in June is 3.69, which is higher than last year’s average of 3.26. Improved results were recorded in native language subjects and other subjects, particularly in mathematics, where the average grade was 4.14. Out of 1,239 students who took the math exam, 651 received top marks (grade 5). The tests of 172 students were annulled, and 507 appeals were submitted.

Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska and the State Examination Centre Director, Daniela Jovchevska-Mihajlovska, presented the results at a press conference on Tuesday. A total of 15,004 students registered to take the exams in the June session, across all types of education (general, vocational and arts) and in all languages of instruction. Around 3% of the candidates did not attend the exams and will have the opportunity to take the exam in the August session next week.

Janevska congratulated all graduates who successfully completed the state graduation exam, thereby earning a diploma that allows them to continue into higher education or, if they choose, to enter the labour market. Janevska expressed satisfaction that the results were better than last year, when the average grade was 3.26, and also because there were not many cases of cheating attempts. As she stated, 172 students attempted to cheat and “outsmart” the system.

A total of 507 appeals were filed across all subjects. Following their review, the average grades by subject are: Native Language – 3.68, Mathematics – 4.14, English – 3.65, French – 4.67, German – 4.42, Aesthetics – 4.93, Philosophy – 3.71.

The Native Language and Literature exam (in Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, and Serbian), which is compulsory for all high school graduates, was held on May 31, while the second, elective exam took place on June 11.

“I believe the students were generally well-prepared. Through their teachers, we worked closely with them, and they took the process seriously. By reviewing previously learned material, they succeeded in achieving good, indeed, better results than last year, which we are very pleased about. Unlike previous years, there was no mass cheating, where entire groups of a thousand or more students, usually organized through communication apps and mobile devices, submitted nearly identical answers. This year, 172 students attempted to cheat the system, took the risk, and as a result, delayed their high school graduation,” Janevska noted.

Satisfaction with both the exam process and the results was also expressed by the State Examination Centre Director, Daniela Jovchevska-Mihajlovska, as students performed better compared to last year.

She stated that the 507 appeals submitted across all subjects of the graduation exam represent “an insignificant number compared to the total number of students who took the state graduation exam.”

“This year, in contrast to last year, we’ve seen an increase in average grades in the native language subjects (from 3.37 to 3.68), and in English, where the average rose from 3.06 to 3.65. The improvement in English is attributed to the new examination program introduced this academic year, which resulted in a different kind of test and brought better outcomes. The average in French is now 4.67, compared to 4.47 last year. I am particularly encouraged by the success in mathematics, a subject many students tend to avoid, either consciously or unconsciously. This year, the average in mathematics rose to 4.14 from 3.73 last year. Out of 1,239 students who took the math exam, 651 earned top marks, which shows that mathematics is not as difficult to pass as it’s often thought to be. We’ve also observed higher scores in Aesthetics and Philosophy than in previous years,” Jovchevska-Mihajlovska said.

The results of the appeals were published on July 11, and the percentile rank was adjusted for 0.70% of students.

“Everyone who felt they had been treated unfairly had the opportunity to come and review their test. Eighty-five candidates submitted a request, and seventy-five of them exercised that right. All of them were able to see where they had made a mistake,” Jovchevska-Mihajlovska said.

Students who did not pass the state graduation exam in June, or did not complete it fully, will retake it during the August session.

The Native Language and Literature exam (in Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, or Serbian) will be held on August 12, and the elective external exam (in Mathematics, English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Philosophy, or Aesthetics) will take place on August 14.

According to Jovchevska-Mihajlovska, a total of 1,118 students have registered for the two August exam days. Among them, 352 will take Macedonian, 225 – Albanian, and 9 – Turkish.

English is the most common choice, with 779 students registered, followed by 1 student for French, 2 for German, 27 for Mathematics, and 1 for Aesthetics. The exams will be taken in the faculty premises.

Since 2007, the state graduation exam has been held during June and August sessions. The only exception was at the end of the 2019/2020 school year, when it was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo: MIA