In primary school, the average results of the centralized exams remained close to last year's figures. This is evidenced by preliminary data presented by the Ministry of Education and Science. This year, ninth graders took exams in Latvian language and mathematics, as well as completed a monitoring task in one of the foreign languages. To pass the exam successfully, it was necessary to score at least 15%. The average result in Latvian language was 56.2%, which is 2.3 percentage points lower than a year ago. At the same time, the average score in mathematics increased to 54.8%, adding one percentage point. Despite a slight improvement in the average result, mathematics remains the most difficult exam. The minimum threshold for this subject was not met by 750 students, while 150 schoolchildren did not pass the exam in Latvian language. In total, 818 graduates of primary school were unable to pass at least one mandatory exam. In secondary school, graduates took five mandatory centralized exams for the first time: in Latvian language, foreign language, mathematics, natural sciences, and one advanced subject. To receive a passing grade, it was necessary to score at least 20%. The best results at the optimal level were shown in the exams for English and Latvian languages. The average score for English was 67.3%, while for Latvian it was 58.9%. Once again, mathematics proved to be the most problematic subject. The average result of the exam was 42.4%, and the number of students who did not meet the minimum threshold significantly exceeded the figures for other mandatory subjects. The mathematics exam was not passed by 2,591 students. Of these, 1,599 were 11th-grade students and students from vocational education institutions. Additionally, 660 graduates of distance learning programs and 332 students from general secondary schools and gymnasiums did not meet the minimum threshold. At the same time, positive dynamics were observed in several subjects at the higher level exams. Results improved in Latvian language and literature, English and German languages, biology, physics, chemistry, history, social sciences, programming, design and technology, as well as culture and arts. For the first time, one of the exams in natural sciences at the optimal level became mandatory for high school students. The highest average result among these subjects was shown in chemistry — 53.2%. This year, specialists evaluated 47,647 exam and monitoring works in primary school and 74,646 centralized exam works in secondary school. Preliminary results indicate that the exam system remains stable; however, mathematics continues to be the main challenge for Latvian schoolchildren.
