Last year, the success rate was around 76%. This is the third time final exams will take place since the start of the pandemic. RTL’s Tim Morizet checked in at the lycée in Echternach, where 144 final year students brave the tests.
The first day is dedicated to the main subject of each specialisation - from political economics for the D section to languages for the A section or “knowledge of the contemporary world” in general education.
This is a chore unlike any others, as these students have spent the last three years of their education under the shadow of the pandemic.
Henri Trauffler, director of the Lycée Classique d‘Echternach, says: „The conditions in place during Covid were no fun for the kids or the teaching staff. But we must say that we managed fairly well, both here in Echternach and on the national level. We had relatively few cancelled classes this year. We have also decided to be more lenient in the exams this year. In some subjects, students have a choice of questions, in case one of the subjects was not treated extensively enough due to Covid. They also have 10 minutes longer per test.”
While the exam conditions are generally standard, the Ministry decided at fairly short notice to give students a second chance in early June, if they miss exams due to testing positive for Covid. Their results will then be published at the same time as everyone else’s.
More and more students are opting for a gap year after school.
„Those who already know what they will study are leaving immediately. Many of them have already chosen their university. But some are also deciding to do a gap year. And a few couldn’t be dissuaded from going straight into work. I told them, you’ll be working long enough in life, but they are motivated.”
The exams will continue for the rest of the week, followed by a one week break, then the half-term holiday, and finally more exams, ending on 3 June, or 16 June for oral exams.
Results are expected to be published at the end of June.
