Poland - Questions and answers

In consequence of the implementation of the new Matura examination, entrance examinations to higher education establishments will be abolished. However, it is necessary to distinguish between two things:

• the assessment of the preparation of candidates in school disciplines, which are in line with the specialisation (branch of study) they would like to undertake
• the assessment of candidates' predispositions required for a given specialisation (branch of study)

The new Matura examination, being an official confirmation of candidates' knowledge and skills in particular school subjects (disciplines), will make it possible to abolish entrance examinations of the first type. However, higher education institutions will be free to organise and carry out examinations of the second type.

Question 2. In the future Matura there will be no oral exams in subjects other than the Polish language and foreign language. What are the reasons for this decision?

While taking a decision on which subjects should be selected for oral examinations, the most important criterion was which skills and abilities need to be assessed in direct contact with the examining board. It was agreed that communication skills, being an important objective of language teaching, should be assessed in the form of oral examinations. (The purpose of written exams in languages is to check other competencies, like the ability of formulating one's views in written form, editing text, style, spelling, etc.)

Therefore, the Polish language and a foreign language have been selected for the oral part of the Matura. Mathematics was also taken into consideration and widely discussed. However, representatives of mathematics teachers and experts in the theory of mathematics teaching have decided that all abilities and competencies in mathematics can be examined and assessed to a sufficient degree in the form of written exam.

Are there any other forms of student performance planned to be a part of the grade in some of the examinations (e.g. student's field or laboratory work, projects, etc)?

In the legislation there is no mention of this.

Question 3. What are the main reasons for placing the final marks for oral and written parts in the certificate separately in the future Matura?

As mentioned above (answer to Question 2), it has been settled that the oral part of the Matura examination aims at the assessment of certain skills, abilities and competencies that are by definition different from those to be examined in the written part. Thus the intention is to indicate clearly what pupils' attainments are with respect to the different abilities. It is reflected in the certificate, where the two parts - written and oral - of the Matura examination are separated.

Question 4. What are the main arguments for organising the mother tongue at two levels in the future according to national standards? Does this apply only to the literature part of the examination or to other parts of the subject as well?

For all pupils sitting for the Matura examination the following subjects are compulsory: mother tongue, modern foreign language and mathematics at least at ordinary level, as well as one optional subject.

The exam which is compulsory for all pupils cannot sufficiently check and confirm upper secondary education and, at the same time, specialist preparation for a given branch of study. Therefore, it has been planned to carry out the examinations in compulsory subjects, mother tongue included, at two levels, which will make it possible for those who wish to present their particular knowledge and skills.

We shall be able to answer the question about the difference between the two levels only in spring 2000, when works on syllabuses defining clearly the requirements at these levels are finished. For the time being, we can only expect that the differences will partly apply to literature, but mainly to skills and abilities.

Example:
At the ordinary level the ability of comprehension of written texts will be assessed, while at the advanced level it will be the ability of comprehension and interpretation.