Tunisia's 2026 national exams: A look at the numbers

Tunisia's national examinations for the 2026 cycle have concluded, with a total of 112,583 students successfully obtaining their certificates out of nearly 230,000 who sat for the Sixth Grade, Ninth Grade, and Baccalaureate exams. The results reveal a pass rate of 35.66% for Sixth Grade, 63.96% for Ninth Grade, and 50.72% overall for the Baccalaureate.

Analysis of the data shows a notable difference in success rates between public and private schools, with 55.82% passing in public institutions compared to 21.72% in private schools and 14.20% for independent candidates. While Baccalaureate pass rates have remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 30% and 50%, the Sixth Grade exams have presented a more concerning picture.

Concerns have been raised regarding the Sixth Grade exams, where pass rates have shown considerable variation, sometimes differing by as much as double from year to year. This year's rate of 35.66% is particularly striking, with only 17,710 candidates achieving an average of 10/20 or higher. Although 5,317 students qualified for pilot colleges with averages above 15/20, the overall low pass rate has led to discussions about a potential and continuous decline in educational standards, prompting calls for alarm and further debate.