Following yesterday’s tests on Hungarian Grammar and Literature, exam season for secondary school students in their final year continued today with written tests in Mathematics.
Test-takers at Budapest’s Mihály Táncsics Elementary and Secondary School on May 8th, 2018 (MTI – Zoltán Máthé)
In total, some 74,000 students are checking their math in villages and cities across the country. According to the Education Bureau, 71,086 students took mid-level math tests in 256 locations, while in 86 locations 3,285 others tried their hands at advanced mathematics. 1,836 intermediate tests were taken in English, French, Croatian, German, Italian, Russian, Romanian, Spanish, Serb, or Slovak, while 49 others took advanced math tests in English, French, German, or Spanish.
A sealed bag containing this year’s intermediate level mathematical exams (Photo: MTI – Zoltán Máthé)
The intermediate test lasts 180 minutes, and is divided into two portions, the first of which lasts 45 minutes, and the second of which lasts 135.
Students taking the advanced-level exam have 240 minutes to take their written test, which likewise consists of two sections.
Students taking the intermediate mathematics exam at János Bolyai Secondary School in Salgótarján (Photo: MTI – Péter Komka)
Test-takers are allowed a table of equations, a calculator, compass, ruler, and protractor.
This week’s written exams will continue with language exams in English, on Thursday, and in German, on Friday. Most of the oral exams will be held in June.
MTA Calls for Changes to Hungarian Education
On Monday, At its 189th general assembly, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences urged changes to Hungary’s education sector, calling it one of the state’s most important responsibilities.
In a resolution adopted at the assembly, the academy argued that
government spending on education should at least reach the European Union average, but must even exceed it if the sector is to make noticeable progress.
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ (MTA) 189th general assembly, held at its headquarters in Budapest (Photo: MTI – Lajos Soós)
The education sector requires changes that improve its chances of meeting the challenges of the future by developing students’ flexible study skills and improve conditions for creating a level playing field for students, the academy said in a statement.
But the academy added that government funding for education was currently not in line either with the level that would be required or society’s expectations.
The academy said the Hungarian education sector’s problems included a rising dropout rate, a significant distortion of the structure of education, a drop in the quality of textbooks due to a lack of professional oversight, the rising influence of family background on students’ prospects and the widening gap among regions and schools. It also noted that
teacher wages in Hungary are still among the lowest in the EU despite the pay increases of the past few years.
Via MTI
Images via MTI