8th-grader exam 2026: Polish language. Structure and scope of material

As the 2026 academic year approaches, Polish eighth-graders will face a revamped examination in the Polish language, designed to comprehensively assess their linguistic and analytical capabilities. The exam structure, detailed by Rzeczpospolita, is divided into two core components: a rigorous test section and a substantive written essay, ensuring a holistic evaluation of student proficiency.

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The 8th-grade exam in Polish consists of two main parts: a test and an essay.

The test section is engineered to probe students' ability to engage with diverse texts. Candidates will be presented with two source texts—one literary and one non-literary—requiring them to demonstrate comprehension and analytical skills through both closed and open-ended questions. This part of the exam is crucial for gauging a student's capacity to interpret complex material, formulate reasoned opinions, and articulate concise answers based on textual evidence.

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In the first part, students work with two source texts. One is literary and may take the form of a poem, an excerpt from an epic or dramatic work. The second text is non-literary – it is most often a popular science or journalistic text.

The essay component offers students a choice between two distinct tasks: an argumentative piece, such as a formal essay or speech, or a creative narrative. This flexibility allows students to showcase their strengths while demonstrating mastery over composition, coherence, style, and grammatical accuracy. The evaluation criteria emphasize not only the content and adherence to the chosen topic but also the overall quality of the written expression, including linguistic and orthographic correctness.

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The second part of the exam is a written statement. The student chooses one of two topics. The first is argumentative and takes the form of an essay or speech. The second topic is creative and involves writing a story.

From a Polish educational perspective, this exam structure reflects a commitment to fostering critical thinking and sophisticated communication skills. Rzeczpospolita's coverage highlights the exam's focus on key competencies, including inference, argumentation, and the ability to produce various forms of written output. The inclusion of cultural competencies, such as interpreting visual texts like posters, and a deep understanding of linguistic nuances, including stylistic devices and literary terms, underscores the exam's aim to cultivate well-rounded, culturally aware students. The reference to mandatory reading lists, spanning classic Polish and international literature, further emphasizes the importance placed on literary education within the Polish school system.

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Exam tasks in Polish focus on several key areas of competence. In particular, they test: the ability to infer from text, formulate and justify opinions, argue, and draft written statements of various types (including announcements, invitations, essays, stories).