Exam marathon begins with new options for thousands of graduates

Lithuania's National Examination Center (NŠA) is working to reassure high school seniors as the exam period begins, acknowledging that while some students are pleased with their assignments, others are anxious. S. Šabanovas, head of the NŠA, encouraged students to trust their knowledge gained throughout their schooling, stating, "If anyone else among the high school graduates is listening, this is the main session, and of course, sometimes it happens that you get nervous. This is the first time you are taking such an exam, specifically Lithuanian language and literature, and I truly believe you have shown what you have learned from first to twelfth grade, and you will pass it."

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If anyone else among the high school graduates is listening, this is the main session, and of course, sometimes it happens that you get nervous. This is the first time you are taking such an exam, specifically Lithuanian language and literature, and I truly believe you have shown what you have learned from first to twelfth grade, and you will pass it.

Šabanovas noted that statistics show most students pass their exams and achieve their goals. For those who don't pass due to nerves or other reasons, a retake session is available. "There is always an opportunity to come for a retake session, and that opportunity will be available this year as well," he emphasized.

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There is always an opportunity to come for a retake session, and that opportunity will be available this year as well.

This year introduces a significant change: for the first time, students will be able to retake the second part of the state mathematics matriculation exam. "We have always talked about mathematics being a big challenge for all of us. Apparently, high school graduates and parents, let's not hide it, always hope to get into higher education, and often mathematics results are needed there. So this year, for the first time, there will be an opportunity to retake mathematics, specifically the second part of the VBE, just like the second part of the Lithuanian language VBE, in the retake session," said Šabanovas.

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We have always talked about mathematics being a big challenge for all of us. Apparently, high school graduates and parents, let's not hide it, always hope to get into higher education, and often mathematics results are needed there. So this year, for the first time, there will be an opportunity to retake mathematics, specifically the second part of the VBE, just like the second part of the Lithuanian language VBE, in the retake session.

Another new feature is an AI tool on the NŠA website, which students are actively using. "You can ask many questions about exams and achievements there. And students actively ask what tasks to expect, what the structure is, how to prepare, and many other things," explained the NŠA head. He also discussed the new exam model, where exams occur in both eleventh and twelfth grades, noting ongoing societal discussions. A key benefit cited is reduced student stress, with some students feeling more confident after passing an exam in eleventh grade. However, Šabanovas acknowledged the increased workload for teachers and exam centers due to these changes, while also highlighting the introduction of new subjects like economics and entrepreneurship, reflecting international trends.

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You can ask many questions about exams and achievements there. And students actively ask what tasks to expect, what the structure is, how to prepare, and many other things.