‘Matric’ exams can be done in five years

The pressure on students sitting for their A-levels should ease off as they will now be able to sit for one batch of exams over a span of five years.

The changes were approved by the University Senate and come into force in September.

They will allow sixth formers and others taking the exams privately to obtain their matriculation certificate after accumulating enough points in six subjects at the levels and in the groups specified in the certificate examination regulations.

Once all the exams are in hand, they will be awarded the matriculation certificate.

The Senate also agreed that the September session of the Matriculation exams, commonly known as A-level, would no longer be considered as a re-sit or supplementary session. This means that candidates do not need to register for the May session to be allowed to sit for exams in September.

The Education Ministry said this measure – while keeping the same level of teaching – offered greater opportunities of success to sixth form students, young people and adults who wanted to start studying again.

Following a government proposal, the Senate approved the inclusion of vocational subjects in the Matriculation certificate and Secondary Education certificate.

In the coming years, these subjects will be included among those available to students when they come to make the choice, the ministry said.

These changes would make exams more flexible and reduce the pressure, making the learning experience of more value to students, it added.

The university will carry out a national study looking into every type of qualification giving access to tertiary education.

The results will allow it to make recommendations to retain the level of quality in teaching, especially at an assessment level.