Finnish matriculation examination

Please note that this information applies to the national matriculation examination, not to the IB final examinations.

The matriculation examination is a final examination for upper secondary school, organized by the Finnish Matriculation Examination Board (YTL). At the school level, the principal is responsible for the arrangements. For more information about the examination, please contact the principal, the assistant principal, guidance counselors or subject teachers.

Completion of the qualification

The candidate graduates from upper secondary school after passing the examinations required for the upper secondary school leaving certificate and the studies included in the upper secondary school curriculum, and after completing the minimum of 150 credits. 150 credits must include 94 or 102 (depending on the level of mathematics) credits of compulsory studies and 20 credits of optional studies.

Please note that this information applies to the national examination, not to the IB final examinations.

Eligibility to participate

A student registers for the matriculation examination to complete the whole examination - not just the individual tests.

You may participate in the exams in mother tongue, second national language, foreign language, mathematics and general studies once you have completed the compulsory courses in the subject you want to write. Only candidates who have completed and obtained grades for all the compulsory studies in the subject may take the examination.

Two examination days are reserved for the general subjects. To take the short language test, you must have completed at least six credits.

With principal's approval, a student who has not completed the required number of courses in upper secondary school may still take the exam, if they have acquired sufficient knowledge in another way (e. g. by studying abroad).  The principal assesses the adequacy of the knowledge.

Distributed examination

The matriculation examination must include at least five subjects. These must include the exam in mother tongue, and literature and at least four exams from at least three of the following groups:

• mathematics
• a second national language
• a foreign language
• general studies

At least one exam must be at the advanced level.

The required exams must be completed within a maximum of three consecutive examination sessions.

 In addition to the five required exams, candidates may take one or more additional tests.  New subjects and syllabi may be added during the three sessions. After three sessions the candidate must have completed enough subjects and syllabuses to graduate. Candidates may take exams in different syllabi of the same subject, but only one can count toward examination (e.g. short and advanced mathematics).

A failed exam can be retaken up to three times in the next three examination sessions. New exams can only be added during the first three consecutive sessions. If a candidate fails a required exam in the third session, they may still retake it up to three more times.

If a candidate fails an advanced-level exam in a subject with two levels, they may switch to the basic level when retaking it. However, the required exams must still include one advanced -level exam.

Illness, full-time study abroad or other equivalent serious reasons may extend the time required to complete the examination by one to two examination periods.

Scope of exam tasks

The exam tasks are based on the compulsory and optional courses of the subject. In languages and mathematics there are two levels of exams. Tasks in general studies may cross subject boundaries.

Registration

Registration for spring exams takes place in November and for the autumn exams in May. The registration form is available in Wilma.

Taking exams free of charge

Candidates may register for up to five exams free of charge. Additional exams incur a fee. If a candidate registers for more than five examinations in one session, they must choose which five are free.

If a candidate fails in a free examination, they may retake it free with some exceptions. A fee is charged for retaking a failed test in the following cases:

• The candidate was absent from the exam
• The candidate did not submit an answer for evaluation.
• A candidate was disqualified  due to cheating or disruption the exam.

Free participation may not cover all five required exams, if the candidate takes more than the required five exams.

Free participation usually ends when the student completes the matricular examination, vocational qualification or equivalent foreign studies. If a student is completing both vocational and upper secondary studies, free participation ends when both qualifications are completed.

If a student progresses at a different pace than their age group or follows a non-standard study path, their right to free exams must be verified on study records and the legislation. Key rules include:

• Free participation ends at the end of the calendar year in which the student turns 20, unless an extension  is granted.
• Free participation does not apply to students whose compulsory education ended before 1 January 2021.
• Free participation does not apply to students who were not subject to the new compulsory education law (e. g.  students who moved to Finland after the age of compulsory education).

For a more detailed description of students' right to free education and the extension of compulsory education, see the Ministry of Education and Culture's website: questions and answers on compulsory education.