On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Matura exam in mathematics at the basic level took place, marking a significant milestone for over 20,000 students across Łódź and the surrounding Łódź Voivodeship. This exam, which is mandatory for all graduating students, is often regarded as one of the most challenging assessments they face. With a reputation for inducing anxiety among students, mathematics consistently sees the highest failure rates in Matura exams.
Students had 180 minutes to tackle a series of tasks, with a total of 50 points available. To pass, candidates needed to achieve at least 30 percent of the total score. At the XXVI Liceum Ogólnokształcącym, more than 193 graduates participated in the exam, with some finishing in just 80 minutes. “Overall, the exam was easy,” said Sergiusz Katyński, a graduate from the mathematics-physics class at XXVI LO. “The closed tasks were clear and intuitive, while the open tasks required more thought and consideration.”
This year, the exam featured a problem involving a cone, where students had to calculate its volume based on given parameters such as the slant height and apex angle. Many students noted that the Matura exam in mathematics was predictable, resembling the format of the trial exams held in December. As expected, topics like percentages, logarithms, and sequences appeared, along with a proof task.
Despite differing opinions on the exam's difficulty, students universally agreed on one thing: they were relieved to have it behind them. Marek Szymański, the director of the Regional Examination Board in Łódź, confirmed that the mathematics exam proceeded without any issues across the entire voivodeship.
Later that afternoon, at 2 PM, students were scheduled to take an additional exam in Latin and Ancient Culture, which was attended by a smaller group of candidates. This year, a total of 20,271 students in the Łódź Voivodeship participated in the Matura exams, including 17,209 taking them for the first time and 3,063 retaking them to improve their scores.
In Łódź alone, 5,653 graduates from high schools and technical schools were set to take the Matura exam, with 1,105 students opting to retake the exams. The following day, on Wednesday, May 7, exams in foreign languages at the basic level were scheduled, including English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Italian. Additionally, bilingual school graduates would have their mathematics and geography exams in a foreign language later that afternoon.
The Matura exams are set to continue until May 24, with additional sessions planned for June 3 to June 17 for those who were unable to take the exams in May. Students will receive their results on July 8.
The mathematics Matura exam is a critical component of the graduation process, assessing essential skills in algebra, geometry, functions, statistics, and probability. It consists of both closed-ended and open-ended tasks, requiring students to demonstrate not only their computational abilities but also their interpretative and argumentative skills.
According to the official guidelines, students were allowed to bring a simple calculator, a ruler, and a compass to the exam. Schools provided selected mathematical formulas to assist students during the test. This year, the exam was conducted in two formats: the new Formula 2023 and the older Formula 2015. The advanced mathematics exam is scheduled for May 12, 2025, and will last for 180 minutes, consisting exclusively of open-ended tasks.
Students preparing for the Matura exam often face considerable pressure, as the stakes are high. The mathematics exam, in particular, has earned the title of the "queen of sciences," demanding thorough preparation. With over 300,000 students expected to take the basic level mathematics Matura exam this year, it remains a pivotal moment in their academic journeys.
Reflecting on the exam's structure, it included between 27 to 39 tasks, with 20 to 25 being closed-ended and 7 to 14 open-ended. Each student needed to score a minimum of 30 percent to pass, a benchmark that underscores the exam's challenging nature. The results of the mathematics exam not only influence students' immediate academic futures but also their overall educational trajectories.
As students await their results, the anticipation builds, with many already reflecting on their performances and the strategies they employed during the exam. The mathematics Matura exam is more than just a test; it's a rite of passage for Polish students, marking the culmination of years of education and preparation.
In summary, the Matura exam in mathematics, held on May 6, 2025, served as a significant event for thousands of students in Łódź and beyond. While the exam's difficulty is often debated, the collective relief felt by students upon completion speaks volumes about the pressure they face. As the examination period continues, all eyes will be on the results, which will be revealed on July 8.
