Filipović: 7,287 objections to state matriculation exams received

The head of Croatia’s National Centre for External Assessment of Education, Vinko Filipović, announced during a press conference that 7,287 appeals were received regarding exams from this year's state maturity exam, known as the državna matura. Out of these, 4,696 appeals were rejected, according to Filipović. The results represent the final evaluations following the processing of all complaints and challenges submitted by students and their representatives. Of the total number of appeals, 6,940 concerned the grading of first-level exams, with 4,378 of them, approximately 63.1 percent, being dismissed, while 2,562 were accepted, making up 36.9 percent. Appeals related to second-level exams totaled 347, of which 318, or 92.8 percent, were denied, and only 25, or 7.2 percent, were accepted. These figures highlight the high volume of disputes over grading decisions, particularly at the first level of the exam. A total of 111,251 exams were written this year. Of these, 95,249, or 85.6 percent, received positive grades, while 16,002, or 14.4 percent, resulted in negative outcomes. Among the negative grades, 12,515, or 11.2 percent, were recorded at vocational schools, followed by 2,507, or 2.3 percent, at gymnasiums, and 980, or 0.9 percent, among other participants who took the exam. Regular participants in the state maturity exam make up 87.5 percent of the total, with gymnasium students accounting for 41.1 percent of that group, and vocational school students comprising 58.9 percent. Other participants, such as those taking the exam voluntarily or retaking specific subjects, constitute 12.5 percent of the overall number. Filipović noted that 29,481 students from gymnasiums, vocational schools, and other institutions participated in the 2025/26 academic year's state maturity exam. After considering all appeals, the total number of negative grades remained at 16,002. He emphasized that this year marked a rise in the number of candidates compared to previous years, though he clarified that the increase was not due to demographic changes but rather to growing interest among vocational school students and others for whom the exam is not mandatory. He added that the list of participants included not only current graduates but also students retaking individual exams or seeking to improve their scores, as well as international candidates. A total of 753 assessors evaluated the exams, which were conducted in 386 secondary schools and six examination centers across the country. The appeal process has been a central feature of the state maturity exam system, allowing students to challenge their grades if they believe there were errors in evaluation. This year's numbers reflect both the scale of participation and the complexity of the grading process, which involves multiple stages of review and verification. The distribution of grades shows a clear distinction between educational tracks, with vocational school students experiencing a higher proportion of negative outcomes than their counterparts in gymnasiums. However, the overall pass rate remains relatively high, indicating that the majority of students achieved satisfactory results. Filipović did not provide specific reasons for the rejection of the majority of appeals, nor did he elaborate on the criteria used to evaluate whether a complaint warranted reconsideration. Nevertheless, the data underscores the importance of the appeal mechanism in ensuring fairness and transparency in the assessment process. The involvement of international students adds another layer to the complexity of the exam administration, requiring additional coordination and adherence to standardized procedures. With the number of participants increasing, the logistical demands on the education authorities have also grown, necessitating careful planning and resource allocation. As the academic year progresses, further analysis of the results and their implications for student performance and educational policy will likely follow. The detailed breakdown of grades and appeals provides a foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of the current system and identifying areas for improvement.