Students Report Easy Experience With English Matura Exam

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, students across Poland participated in the English Matura exam at the basic level, which began at 9:00 AM and lasted for 120 minutes. This exam is a crucial step for students, as it is one of the three compulsory written exams required for graduation from high school.

Feedback from students indicates a generally positive reception regarding the exam's difficulty. Dawid Solarski, a student from class 4D at III LO in Krakow, shared his thoughts, stating, "The English exam does not cause problems for today's students. We have been familiar with the language since childhood; it's literally everywhere." Dawid noted that the essay component required students to write a blog post about their first public performance, detailing the event and the reactions of the audience. He is now preparing for his biology exam on Friday, expressing a mix of excitement and anxiety about the upcoming challenges.

Another student, Michał Kowal, also from class 4D, echoed Dawid's sentiments, saying, "I wrote about playing the piano in public for my blog post." After three days of exams, Michał enjoys a brief respite before facing the oral Polish exam on Monday, followed by mathematics and chemistry.

Social media platforms are buzzing with student reactions, with many expressing their satisfaction with the exam's format. Comments such as "This English exam was easier than easy!" and "All the listening exercises were clear, and the texts were manageable" reflect a consensus that the exam was approachable. However, some students also mentioned challenging questions related to various cultural references, including The Beatles and Kafka.

The Central Examination Board (CKE) has implemented several changes for the 2025 Matura exams. Notably, students can now take a modern foreign language that they did not study in school, provided it is on the CKE's approved list. This year, around 30,063 students in the Małopolska region are taking the Matura exam, with 25,368 being current graduates of post-primary schools.

As part of the exam regulations, CKE has emphasized that electronic devices are strictly prohibited during the exam. Robert Zakrzewski, the head of CKE, reiterated this in an official announcement on April 28, stating, "No telecommunications devices, such as phones or smartwatches, are allowed in the examination room. Using such devices during the exam will lead to disqualification." This rule aims to maintain the integrity of the examination process.

This year's Matura exams are conducted based on the curriculum requirements rather than the exam requirements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each student is required to take three compulsory written exams at the basic level: Polish, mathematics, and a foreign language. Additionally, each student must complete one written exam at an extended level, which can also be a bilingual exam for a modern foreign language.

In terms of popular choices among students in Małopolska for additional subjects, English remains the most preferred, with 18,788 students opting for it at the extended level. Other popular subjects include mathematics and geography, with 7,758 and 5,013 students, respectively.

The Matura results will be announced on July 8, 2025, allowing students to gauge their performance and plan their next steps, whether that involves further education or entering the workforce.

As for preparation tips, Jacek Kaczor, the director of I LO in Krakow, emphasizes the importance of rest and a light breakfast on exam day. He advises students to avoid studying the night before and instead focus on relaxation. "It’s crucial to be well-rested, as it can translate to better performance on the exam," he advises.

Overall, the 2025 Matura exam season is well underway, with students navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With the English exam now completed, students are looking forward to their upcoming subjects, hoping to maintain the momentum of success they experienced in English.