Romania's Vocational School Admission Faces Uncertainty with New Exam Rules

Romania's vocational schools face a significant shift in the 2026-2027 academic year, as they will be integrated into technological high schools. This integration mandates that students seeking vocational training must now pass the national evaluation exams, a stark contrast to previous years when direct admission was an option.

The new system requires students to undergo the same admission process as general high school applicants, including computer-based allocation and admission based on national evaluation scores. This change has caused considerable anxiety among vocational high schools, even those previously considered high-performing, as they worry about filling their available spots.

Previously, many students determined to learn a trade would bypass the national evaluation exams altogether, submitting their applications directly to vocational schools after completing middle school. The elimination of direct admission and the requirement to pass the national evaluation exams mean that students who do not take the exam risk not securing a place in their desired vocational program.

Marinela Culea, director of the "Cezar Nicolau" Technological High School in Brănești, Ilfov, a school recognized for its success, expressed concerns about the upcoming admission cycle. With a smaller cohort of eighth-graders and the new admission regulations, the school plans to offer eight high school classes, including specializations like "Technician in Economic Activities," "Veterinary Technician," and "Food Industry," among others. The school previously offered six vocational school classes alongside four high school classes.