Zermatt: The entrance exam in mathematics for four-year courses was easier this year

The test of the unified entrance examination in mathematics for applicants to four-year courses and extensions was easier this year on Monday. Miroslav Krejčí, director of the state organization Cermat, which is responsible for the admissions process, told ČTK. Therefore, according to him, the pupils on average achieved better results in mathematics year-on-year, last year they had an average of 39.9 percent, this year 49 percent. According to Krejčí, Cermat does not make the tests of the uniform entrance exam so that they are comparable in terms of difficulty. Some teachers and education experts pointed out that the tests are of varying difficulty from year to year.

“We don’t do those tests purposefully to make them comparable. We do them more so that, where possible, a similar number of points is achieved, but it is not about comparable difficulty. It can change,” Krejčí said. According to him, the matriculation results can be compared.

According to Krejčí, the overall results of applicants for four-year majors in mathematics are better, precisely because Monday’s test was easier. According to him, the fact that Monday’s test was similar to Friday’s and the students had the weekend for possible further preparation also had an effect. The pupils and representatives of Cermat pointed out that the tests are similar in type and they can use the weekend for preparation. According to Krejčí, the success in Friday’s test corresponded to previous years. According to him, the applicants also achieved better results in Czech, with an average of three percent better results than last year.

According to Krejčí, applicants for eight-year grammar schools also had an easier test in mathematics, who achieved an average of one-fifth better results this year than last year. The results from Czech were comparable for them, he said. Compared to last year, applicants for six-year grammar schools did eight percent worse in Czech and three percent better in mathematics.

They should find out which school they are accepted to on May 15. According to the prediction, about 90 percent of children applying for four-year courses across the country should be placed in the first round, in Prague it should be about 80 percent, said Krejčí.