Eighth and twelfth graders are taking part in mock national exams over the next two weeks, designed to show how prepared they are now for the summer tests and familiarize them with exam conditions. These tests are a valuable indicator for students: they show them what they still have to consolidate before the final exam.
Beyond the excitement of testing, families are facing another challenge this time around: Unions are threatening to boycott testing in some schools amid discontent with the system.
The simulations are organized annually by the Ministry of Education and have the role of reproducing as faithfully as possible the conditions of real national exams. Students receive topics designed according to the same structure and have the same rules of conduct as in the final exam.
The results are not automatically entered into the catalogue, but they provide important feedback about the level of preparation and about possible gaps in learning. After communicating the results, teachers discuss the topics and common mistakes in class. In many schools, detailed analysis of results is done to decide which chapters need to be repeated.
Another important role of these tests is to train students for exam pressure. For many children, facing an important exam for the first time can be stressful. The simulation helps them familiarize themselves with the exam atmosphere: the schedule, the rules, the limited time and how to write the paper.
In 2026, these tests will begin in mid-March with the mock National Assessment for 8th graders. The official calendar was established by the Ministry of Education by ministerial order and published on the institution's website. In the 2025–2026 school year, testing takes place in two stages: first for middle school students, then for high school students.
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