Retaking tests

All candidates may retake approved examinations an unlimited number of times, regardless of when the approved result was originally obtained or how many times it has previously been retaken. This means that even a person who completed an examination before the legislative changes entered into force and has already used the one retake permitted under the repealed legislation may retake any examination as many times as they wish. Approved examinations may also be retaken without limitation while the Matriculation Examination is still incomplete.

A candidate who has completed the Matriculation Examination may retake a failed examination without limitation. This means that both an optional failed examination and a compulsory failed examination that has been compensated may be retaken without limitation after completing the Matriculation Examination. This change also applies to all candidates regardless of when they completed the examination.

If the Matriculation Examination is still incomplete, a failed test may be retaken three times during the three examination rounds immediately following the round in which the failing grade was awarded. If the candidate’s time limit for retaking the examination has not yet expired, they may retake the test in accordance with the new legislation three times. For example, a candidate who receives a failing grade for the first time in spring 2023 may retake the test in autumn 2023, spring 2024 and autumn 2024.

Enrolment for retakes

Candidates wishing to retake tests are advised to enrol with their former general upper secondary school well in advance of the enrolment deadline. The enrolment period for the autumn examination is at the end of May, and for the spring examination in mid-November. If the school in question no longer exists, enrolment must be completed through another general upper secondary school operated by the same education provider (usually the municipality or city). In some cases, upper secondary education in the area may have been transferred to another provider, such as a joint municipal authority or a merged municipality.

If the education provider no longer operates any general upper secondary schools, candidates should enrol at the general upper secondary school closest to their place of residence. Candidates may also enquire with other schools whether they are able to accept additional retake candidates; however, many schools may not have the capacity to do so. If a candidate has previously been granted special arrangements, they must submit the decision and any other required information to the school when enrolling.

Further information about the practical arrangements for retakes is available from the general upper secondary school where the candidate has enrolled. The retake itself does not necessarily take place at that school; the test venue may be located in other premises or at another school or site operated by the same education provider.

Read more about enrolling for the tests.

Preparing for a retake

Candidates retaking tests sit the same tests as all other candidates. Tests in different subjects and syllabi are organised in accordance with the current legislation and regulations. The old-format combined test in humanities and natural sciences is retaken by sitting a test in one subject. The test tasks are prepared in line with the current national core curriculum for general upper secondary education.

If a considerable amount of time has passed since the candidate originally completed the examination, preparing for the test also involves becoming familiar with the practices of the digital test. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they bring to the digital test a computer that complies with the equipment guidelines, as well as a power cable and headphones.

Instructions concerning the candidate’s computer

Candidates must be able to start up their computer from the USB memory stick supplied by the Board. General upper secondary schools provide opportunities to practise this start-up procedure, but they are generally not able to offer guidance on the software used in the test to candidates other than their own students. As all tests primarily assess competence in accordance with the curriculum, candidates may also practise using the software independently as part of their preparation. Many general upper secondary schools for adults admit subject students to their courses, allowing candidates to revise subject content while simultaneously developing their digital skills.

Candidates should enter for a retake only if they are prepared to commit to studying and preparing for the test. Unnecessary enrolments do not constitute an appropriate use of either candidates’ or society’s resources. If the aim is to succeed in student admissions, candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with the wide range of admission options offered by higher education institutions before enrolling for a retake.

Improving a grade by one level typically requires a significant investment in developing both subject-specific competence in line with the objectives of the syllabus and higher-order thinking skills. These skills rarely develop without deliberate effort. According to statistics, between 32% and 50% of candidates retaking a passed test have succeeded in improving their grade in recent years. This figure varies from one examination round to another.

Responsibilities of general upper secondary schools and education providers

Education providers are responsible for organising the Matriculation Examination tests for:

• their own students in general upper secondary schools
• candidates retaking or supplementing tests who have completed the Matriculation Examination at a school operated by the provider
• candidates retaking or supplementing tests whose nearest general upper secondary school is operated by the provider and whose original examination provider no longer offers general upper secondary education
• candidates taking a separate test who have previously studied at a general upper secondary school operated by the provider
• other individuals, where circumstances permit

The education provider assigns candidates retaking tests to different schools and campuses at its discretion. Candidates must be informed of the test venue and other practical arrangements. In accordance with regulations, general upper secondary schools must provide candidates with opportunities to practise starting up their devices. If the education provider is able to offer additional preparation for the tests, for example through a general upper secondary school for adults or liberal adult education, candidates should be informed accordingly.

Candidates retaking tests pay the standard Matriculation Examination fees. Increasing the number of retake opportunities leads to some additional costs for education providers. This was taken into account in the government funding allocated for organising general upper secondary education.