Matriculation Examination Tests in Arts and Practical Subjects

Updated

Matriculation examination tests in arts and practical subjects will be organised in visual arts, music and physical education starting from the autumn 2029 examination. As a result of this reform, the Matriculation Examination, as the school-leaving qualification of general upper secondary education, will cover the general knowledge and competences defined for upper secondary education more comprehensively than before.

Kuvallisia elementteja musiikista, liikunnasta, kuvataiteesta ja ylioppilastutkinnosta.
Image: Antti Heikkinen / Source.

Tests in arts and practical subjects will be organised in subjects that are compulsory for all students in general upper secondary education for young people. As part of the reform, the upper secondary school diplomas in visual arts, music and physical education will be discontinued for students who begin their upper secondary studies on or after 1 August 2027.

Of the five tests required for the Matriculation Examination, at most one may be a test in arts and practical subjects. However, a candidate may choose to take more than one such test during the completion of the examination or to supplement their examination at a later stage. If a candidate intends to take several tests in arts and practical subjects, they must be taken in separate examination rounds (for example, in autumn and spring).

According to the revised legislation, from the autumn 2029 examination onwards, a candidate completing the Matriculation Examination must take at least five tests (1+3+1) as follows:

Ylioppilastutkintoa suorittavan kokelaan on suoritettava viisi koetta seuraavista ryhmistä: 1. äidinkieli ja kirjallisuus 2. matematiikka 3. toinen kotimainen kieli 4. vieraat kielet 5. reaaliaineet 6. taito- ja taideaineet. Kokeista yhden kokeen tulee olla ryhmästä 1, kolme koetta eri ryhmistä 2–5 ja yksi koe ryhmistä 2–6. Kokeisiin voi kuulua vain yksi koe samassa oppiaineessa.

 

Tests in arts and practical subjects consist of two parts:

  1. A new element in the Matriculation Examination precedes the actual examination day: a preparatory competence demonstration, in which the candidate demonstrates subject-specific competences in a supervised demonstration session.
  2. The actual examination day consists of written tasks and is held on the same examination dates as tests in other subjects. The arrangements for the written test are similar to those used in current digital tests.

There are still several open questions related to the matriculation examination tests in arts and practical subjects. The preliminary timetable for the preparation indicates the stage of the process and when answers to the open questions can be expected.

The preparation of the matriculation examination tests in arts and practical subjects is carried out in extensive cooperation with stakeholders. The successful implementation of the examination requires close collaboration between teachers, general upper secondary schools, other stakeholders and the Matriculation Examination Board.

Principles guiding the preparation

  1. The matriculation examination tests are prepared in accordance with the national core curriculum for general upper secondary schools.
    • The highest grade can be achieved with the competences acquired in general upper secondary education.
    • The tests do not substantially alter the nature of teaching in the subjects.
  2. The matriculation examination tests are reliable and highly regarded.
    • Tests in arts and practical subjects are subject to the same quality requirements as other matriculation examination tests.
  3. The matriculation examination tests can be organised with reasonable resources.
    • When planning the implementation of the tests, it must be ensured that the arrangements are reasonable for the candidate, the education provider, and the Board. This applies to taking the tests, organising them, and assessing them.