Average matura score in June 3.66 — 226 annulled tests

The average grade from taking the matura in June this year is 3.66 across all three types introduced for the first time — the State Matura, the State Vocational Matura and the State Art Matura. The late and final results were announced today by the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska and the director of the State Examination Center Daniela Jovchevska‑Mihajlovska.

Exactly 14,587 students who completed secondary education in the 2025/2026 school year were registered for the external exams — the mandatory mother tongue exam and one additional elective subject. The tests were administered on June 6 and on June 11 and 12. Of those registered, 12,184 candidates were for the State Matura, 2,276 for the State Vocational Matura and 127 for the State Art Matura; 348 registered, or 2.39 percent, did not appear for the exams.

The average grades by type are: State Matura 3.62, Vocational Matura 3.91 and Art Matura 3.59. Janevska and Jovchevska‑Mihajlovska assessed the result as satisfactory and pointed out that continuity with last year's 3.69 has been maintained, compared with 2024 when the average was 3.26.

Annulled tests and appeals

"I consider these to be objective results. The schools and the university departments where some of the tests were organized, the testers who numbered around 2,500, about 200 observers and the graders were well prepared. Of course, the students took the process seriously as well. This year, for the first time, exams were taken under a new Concept that provided for three types of matura, so all students were tested on material they actually studied during the four years of secondary education, which was not the case in the past when everyone was tested on the same material. I am satisfied that for two years in a row an almost identical average has been maintained, unlike in 2024 when it was 3.26," said Janevska, congratulating those who passed the matura and thereby gained eligibility to enroll in university or to enter the labor market directly.

The State Examination Center reported that the tests of 226 students were annulled; they will have the right to sit in the August session. Some were caught cheating during the exam itself, and for others it was determined that they had cheated after the tests were reviewed. According to the director, students who used electronic devices were removed, and in some cases essays were noted to have identical texts, which was treated as assistance and sanctioned.

There were 805 appeals filed, i.e. 2.86 percent of those who took the exams; of these, 0.95 percent were accepted. One hundred thirty‑three students reviewed their tests.

Students who were absent in June and those whose tests were annulled will be able to take exams in August — on August 12 the elective external exam will be held, and on August 14 the mandatory mother tongue exam. For the August session 1,328 candidates have registered for the State Matura, 126 for the Vocational Matura and 6 for the Art Matura. The exams will be held at eight locations in four cities: Skopje, Tetovo, Prilep and Shtip; on the State Examination Center's website students will be able to check from which school their testing location will be.

Most students chose the State Matura. Better results were noted in the mother tongue exams across all three matura types, as well as higher averages in mathematics and in other foreign languages (German, French, Italian and Russian) where the average is above 4 — these subjects were taken by fewer candidates and mostly by gymnasium students. Around 2,500 testers, approximately 200 observers and graders participated in the organization.

Photo: press material from the event