Changes to Final Exams and Transfer Procedures

Changes have been made to the rules for the final assessments of educational programs, student transfers, completions, and transfers of absent students to the next grade in public educational institutions, by order of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, the following regulations are established for the transfer of students to the next grade, graduation from primary and secondary schools, as well as for evaluations:

• Transfer for Grades 5-8 and 10-11: Students receiving an annual score of 4-10 in all subjects will be transferred to the next grade.
• Grade 9: Students with an annual score of 4-10 and final exam scores of 8-20 will be transferred to the next grade.
• Students with intellectual (cognitive) challenges: Transfers are conducted based on an individual learning plan, regardless of annual grades.
• Graduation from Grade 12: A graduate scoring 4-10 in all educational subjects and 8-20 in all state final exams will receive a certificate of secondary education and be considered a graduate of the institution.

Evaluation: During the 2025-2026 school year, in grades 1-4 (in Tavush Province also for the 1st semester of Grade 5), student assessments will be made using descriptors, while in other grades, semester and annual evaluations will be generated based on students’ semester scores in the electronic registry, automatically.

- Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, assessments in all institutions for grades 1-4 and the 1st semester of Grade 5 will be conducted through descriptors.

- In other grades, annual evaluations will be formed in the electronic registry based on semester evaluations.

Re-examinations: Students scoring 1-3 in a year will take re-exams from July 2-8 or August 20-25. Students who do not participate in re-examinations or receive 1-3 in at least two subjects must repeat that year's course (in Grade 12, they will not graduate).

State Final Certification: For Grade 4, certification will be based on annual descriptors and conducted automatically. Students with low results will be transferred to Grade 5 and will be included in an extended day group.

For Grade 9, final exams will include:

• Armenian Language (written test)
• Literature and History of Armenia (essay)
• Mathematics (written test)
• Foreign Language (oral)
• Natural Sciences (choice of test or project work)
• Physical Education (assessment)
• For classes taught in Russian: Russian Literature
• In national minority classes: native language and literature.

Tests will be prepared by the National Center for Educational Assessment. A re-examination will be arranged if scores between 1-7 are received in exams (July/August).

If students receive failing grades in two subjects, they will repeat the course.

For Grade 12, state final exams (January/June) include:

• Armenian Language and Armenian Literature (test)
• Mathematics (test)
• History of Armenia (test)
• Russian Literature (for classes taught in Russian)
• Native language and literature (for national minority classes).

In January, if a student does not participate in the state final exams for any reason or scores below 20 on a 20-point scale, they will have the option to take the final exam in June for that subject.

Students in Grade 12 must receive at least one score of 1-3 (including testing subjects) or if they fail the state final exams conducted in June, they must take re-examinations at their institution from July 2-8. If they cannot participate, or participate and score between 1-7, they will have the opportunity to retake the exam from August 20-25.

Extramural Procedures: Individuals who have turned 19 and are no longer enrolled can sit for exams in the same or another institution or through extramural procedures. Drafted individuals can take exams within set special deadlines.

Transfer for Absent Students: If a student in grades 1-8 and 10-11 has more than 200 hours of absence, they must take additional exams in all subjects.

- In grades 9 and 12, students who have more than 200 hours of absence must take additional exams in all subjects.

- If they do not participate in re-examinations or additional tests, or receive failing grades in at least two subjects again, they must repeat the course.

- Additional testing tasks are developed by the institution's methodology units (at least 3 different options), and confirmed by the director.