Updated 7.10pm

Only 2,485 students achieved grades of between one and five from 4,597 who sat for the Maths O level exam in May, figures issued today show.

2,720 passed their Maltese exam out of 4,166 candidates - a 65.3 per cent pass rate that was marginally lower than last year's 67.2 per cent figure and 2014's 66.1 per cent. 

In the English language exam 3,023 passed out of 4,611 candidates, resulting in a 65.6 per cent pass rate. Last year, the pass rate was 62.8 per cent. 

32 per cent failed their Italian and 23 per cent failed their French. The failure rate for German was 18 per cent.

In a statement, the Education Ministry said that results were similar to those achieved in the past few years, with a "small percentage" increase in English, Maths and Physics and a small decrease in Maltese. 

Figures provided by the ministry showed that this year's 54.1 per cent pass rate in Maths was marginally better than last year's 53.7 per cent figure. In 2014, the pass rate was 54.2 per cent. 

It noted that the educational system in place relied heavily on a one-off exam to assess students' achievements, "giving little or no recognition to achievements throughout the schooling years in most subject areas."

The ministry thanked schools’ senior management teams, teachers, KGAs, LSAs and all other school personnel for having worked hard to contribute to students' success. 

See a roundup for all subjects in the pdf below. 

FREE REVISION CLASSES

The Ministry for Education said it would be offering free SEC revision classes
for those who will be sitting for the English, Maltese, Mathematics and Physics re-sits in September.

The classes will be an intensive programme between July 25 and August 27.

Those students with grades of 6, 7, U or who were marked Absent in the four subjects above can apply.

Students may follow free revision classes up to a maximum of three subjects, and can apply at edu.gov.mt/revision by Monday 18 July 2016 at noon.

Students applying for the revision classes do not automatically apply for the re-sit, and they therefore need to apply for the re-sit separately.

The ministry said this initiative is within the framework of the Youth Guarantee and is funded by the European Union.

Would you pass your maths O-Level?