The Ministry of Education has officially revealed the guidelines for the upcoming General Secondary exams in 2025, laying clear distinctions between the old and new examination systems. This announcement is crucial for students preparing for these significant assessments, which reflect a critical educational milestone.
In a recent statement, the Ministry confirmed that students will continue to have the option to take exams under the old system, which is based on a total of 410 marks, as opposed to the new system that relies on a 320-mark total. It's a significant change aimed at facilitating different educational pathways for students, as they transition into their final year of secondary education.
For the 2025 academic year, those eligible to take exams under the old system include students who were absent from all subjects despite having exam registration numbers, as well as students who did not pass certain subjects in their previous year. These students are required to register anew through an electronic form to sit for their exams in the subjects they failed. This serves as a lifeline for those who may struggle with specific areas but still wish to complete their secondary education.
The subjects scheduled for the old system exams are both core and specialized; these are crucial for determining overall academic performance. Students are expected to be examinees in essential subjects such as Arabic Language and First Foreign Language, as well as specific fields according to their chosen streams, whether in the Arts or Sciences.
For Literary students, the subjects include Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, History, Geography, Psychology and Sociology, and Philosophy and Logic. Scientific-Sciences students will be assessed in Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while Scientific-Mathematics students will undertake examinations in Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. Moreover, some subjects, such as Religious Education and Economics and Statistics, will not contribute to the overall score count.
Shifting focus to the new examination system, the Ministry clarified which groups would be subject to this revised assessment format. This structure notably includes students currently enrolled in their third secondary year as of the 2024-2025 academic year and those who successfully completed their second year from 2022/2023 onward yet have not enrolled in final exams. They too must follow the protocol of filling an electronic form after producing necessary documentation.
According to the Ministry's outline, students in the literary section under the new system will take exams in the following subjects: Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, History, Geography, and Statistics. Meanwhile, students in the Scientific-Sciences section will be completing exams in Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Those in the Scientific-Mathematics group will have Arabic Language, First Foreign Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics on their agenda.
As for the timeline, the schedule for the 2025 General Secondary exams has been meticulously designed. The exams will kick off on Sunday, June 15, 2025, and conclude on Thursday, July 10, 2025. This schedule aims not only to facilitate the administration of the exams but also to grant students necessary breaks between subjects—an essential measure to allow ample time for preparation.
The detailed exam timetable is as follows for the Scientific-Sciences students under the old system: on June 15, students will take Religious Education and National Education; June 17 is reserved for Economics and Statistics; June 22 will focus on Arabic Language; followed by Second Foreign Language on June 24. On June 26, Physics will be examined, with First Foreign Language scheduled for June 29, and Chemistry on July 3. Subsequently, students will tackle Geology and Environmental Sciences on July 6, concluding with Biology on July 10.
Switching to the new system, the Literary section has their exams starting from June 15, 2025, with Religious Education and National Education, transitioning to Second Foreign Language on June 17, and Arabic Language on June 22. On June 26, students will be assessing their knowledge in History, with June 29 locked in for the First Foreign Language exam. The schedule continues with Geography on July 3, followed by Psychology and Sociology on July 6, and Philosophy and Logic closing on July 10.
The final layout for Literary students following the old system mirrors similar subjects, launching with Religious Education and National Education on June 15, the Economics and Statistics exam on June 17, Arabic Language for June 22, with Second Foreign Language arriving on June 24. The line-up incorporates History on June 26, the First Foreign Language exam on June 29, Geography on July 3, and on July 6, students respond to Psychology and Sociology, culminating in Philosophy and Logic on July 10.
In summary, the Ministry of Education's announcement provides crucial clarity for students navigating the complexities of the upcoming exams. By establishing transparent paths through both systems, the Ministry facilitates a smoother transition to higher education and ensures that students are well-equipped to fulfill their academic goals in 2025.