Technical arrangements for the test

Test situation and test system 

Exam rooms typically contain a large number of workstations, servers and cables. As the tests last six hours, a power supply is provided for every candidate's computer.

The candidate’s computer is connected to a closed examination network that does not provide access to the internet. The examination network may be implemented either through wired or wireless connections. Operating within the network is a server cluster consisting of exam room servers. It is responsible for distributing the test materials and storing candidates’ responses. 

The matriculation examination test system, Abitti, consists of three main components: 

Together, they form a test environment that enables tests to be conducted reliably and equitably.

On an examination day, thousands of computers, hundreds of examination networks and kilometres of cabling are in use simultaneously. It is not always possible to achieve completely disruption-free operation. For this reason, Abitti has been designed to tolerate technical disruptions and does not require an internet connection to function. If any component of the test system fails, it can be replaced or restarted without the candidate losing any responses submitted up to that point.

Working in the digital test

Candidates arrive at the exam room with their computer, headphones and other permitted equipment. 

The candidate starts their computer and the candidate application installed on it. During the test, the computer's own operating system and contents are bypassed. After startup, the candidate selects the test they are taking and authenticates in the test system.

The candidate is responsible for ensuring that they bring a computer with an up-to-date candidate application published by the Matriculation Examination Board and that they know how to start it. If necessary, the school assists the candidate in starting the candidate application before the test session.

Before the start of the test session, the principal of the school downloads the tests from the Matriculation Examination Board's examination service. The tests are encrypted and are opened using decryption codes provided by the Board. When the invigilator starts the test, the exam room server distributes the test questions and materials to the candidates and receives and stores the candidates' responses via the examination network.

The exam room server maintains a continuous connection to the candidates' computers and assists both invigilators and candidates in resolving any technical disruptions that may occur during the test.

The digital test is divided into two main views:

Candidates can move freely between the views during the test, and the views can be arranged side by side on the desktop. 

Abitti is not merely a word-processing or multiple-choice testing system; it is a working environment that simulates an entire computer. During the test, candidates have access to a range of software applications and tools, including word-processing and drawing programs, calculators and other utility software. Candidates may use these applications to produce parts of their answers, take screenshots of their work and incorporate them into their written responses.

After the test has ended, the test performances are transferred to the Matriculation Examination Board’s examination service. Teachers read and carry out a preliminary assessment of the performances, after which the Board makes the final assessment of the tests.

Information security and prevention of cheating

The information security of the Abitti test system is based on both restrictions and monitoring:

Data collected through technical monitoring are analysed by the Matriculation Examination Board after the examination days. Where necessary, any findings are communicated to schools to support investigations of suspected cheating.