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OVERVIEW AND COMPARISON OF MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
OF FINLAND AND UNIFIED NATIONAL TESTING OF KAZAKHSTAN
Zhaxybayeva Zh.Zh.
Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Chemistry and Biology in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Republic of Kazakhstan
Аңдатпа
Осы мақала Финляндияның матрикуляциялық емтиханы мен Қазақстан
Республикасының Бірыңғай ұлттық тестілеу емтихандарына шолу жасап, салыстыру
жүргізуге арналған.
Осы екі емтихандардың үдерісі, формасы мен мазмұны өзгеше. Осы
мақалада Финляндияның емтихан тапсыру тəжірибесін Қазақстанда пайдалану
мүмкіншіліктері айтылған.
Аннотация
Данная статья посвящена описанию и сравнению выпускных экзаменов, таких
как матрикуляционный экзамен Финляндии и Единое национальное тестирование
Республики Казахстан.
Существует множество различий в процессе, форме и содержании
этих экзаменов. В статье предлагаются пути адаптации опыта Финляндии по сдаче экзаменов
в Казахстане.
Abstract
This article is devoted to an overview and comparison of two school leaving exams: Finnish
Matriculation Examination and Unified National Testing of Kazakhstan. There is a great difference
in the process, form and content of these examinations. The article suggests some ways of adapting
Finnish examination practice in Kazakhstan.
The final certifying examination is very significant and life-changing event in every school
graduate’s life. Major part of school leavers learn and seek for all knowledge to get prepared for this
decisive examination and do their best taking it. Their parents and teachers are helping them,
waiting for exams too and getting nervous as the day comes closer. This picture can be seen in any
country where we find upper secondary schools. However these examinations have various names
forms and content in different countries. For example, in Britain it is called A-Level, in Germany
and Austria – Abitur, in Russia – Unified State Examination, in France – Baccalaureat, in Finland –
Finnish Matriculation Examination, in Kazakhstan – Unified National Testing. In spite of different
names, the aim of the exams is similar and can be stated like ‘to check objectively graduates’
knowledge, abilities and logic’. In this article we will overview and compare two types of school
leaving exams. They are Finnish Matriculation Examination and Unified National Testing of
Kazakhstan.
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Firstly we will overview the Finnish Matriculation Examination which has long history which
started in 1852. At first examinations were taken at Universities twice a year. Examinations
included written tests in the mother tongue and Latin or another foreign language also there was an
oral test in subjects according to the curriculum of the university. Every student who passed the
exam was included into the university register as a student [5, p.3]. Later the written part of exams
were decided to be taken at secondary schools whereas the oral part which included mathematics,
religion, languages and history were still taken at universities. There is an interesting fact that
before 1901 Matriculation examination could be taken by male students but female students had to
ask for permission to take an exam. At first they asked for permission from the Russian Emperor
and then from vice chancellor of the university. As far as a vice chancellor always let girls take an
exam this permission was cancelled.
The turning point in the history of Matriculation examination was 1921. This year the exam
stopped to be a graduation and university entrance exam simultaneously also at that time the oral
part of exam was taken away. It continued till World War II. As far as it was unreasonable to ask
the soldiers fighting for Finnish independence to spend a lot of time for examination, it was decided
to declare all the last year students as graduates without taking exams during the period of 1940-
1943[5, p.4]. Then in 1947 the examination form and content changed and remains more or less the
same today. Mainly subjects altered, now obligatory tests were mother tongue, second national
language, foreign language, either Mathematics or one subject from general battery of tests. At this
time the number of graduates who passed the exam but could not enter university was half of the
entire amount. People criticized the examination and students got stress. They thought that the
examination was too broad; some thought that it controlled the whole secondary schools and their
study process. But the Matriculation Examination was not cancelled, moreover it was developed.
So, in 1970 some new features were introduced to the examination: grading system changed from
four grades to six and the mother tongue test could be taken twice [5, p.5]. So as time passed the
examination system was developed and step by step it acquired the modern content and form.
Now we will consider content of Finnish Matriculation Examination. This examination is
taken by graduates of upper secondary schools which in Finland are called “lukios”. Exams are
taken at schools and are supervised by one member of Matriculation Examination Board and local
teachers. Examination is held twice a year: in spring (February-March) and in autumn (September).
Students can retake a failed exam twice. The obligatory subject is mother tongue for everyone, and
other three subjects can be chosen among second national language, foreign language, Mathematics
and one subject from the general battery of tests.It is allowed to take more than four subjects if a
student wants. On average, students take five tests, however there are students who take even ten
tests [5, p.1]. But one of these subjects must be of advanced level.
There are definite rules and obligations for each subject. As I have said Mother tongue is
obligatory for every student. In Finland in most cases the mother tongue is Finnish, Swedish or
Saami. If a student’s native language is not one of the previously said languages, he or she can
replace the mother tongue test with the Finnish or Swedish language test [4, p.1]. The mother
tongue test in Finnish and Swedish consists of textual skill section and essay but Saami language
test comprises only essay. To pass second national language and foreign language tests a student
has to do listening, reading tests and writing. During the Mathematics examination a student has to
complete ten questions. The general studies battery includes tests in Evangelical Lutheran religion,
Orthodox religion, Ethics, philosophy, psychology, biology, chemistry, geography, history, social
studies, physics, health insurance [4, p.2]. During these tests, students answer from six to eight test
items depending on subject.
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These days the graduate having passed Matriculation examination has an opportunity to take
exams at University. It means that a person gets a chance to change his or her life for the better, to
get higher education. However its significance was much higher in the past. Before 1921
Matriculation examination automatically had turned a passed graduate into a student of University.
Also the number of students was very small compared to today’s number. That is why at that time
the passed graduate was very famous and supposed to be one of the cleverest students in the
country. Moreover these graduates were interviewed, placed into newspapers and magazines. [5,
p.6]. As in the past, these days students get a traditional white and blue student cap; pay their
respects at cenotaphs built for soldiers who died protecting Finland; present their mothers a gift;
have a party at school and then at the restaurant in the evening. So, people celebrate this event to
make it memorable because it is supposed to be one of the most important events in person’s life.
For many years the Matriculation Examination has been taken in written form but this
tendency is going to be changed. Since 2016 some tests will be introduced in electronic form.
Students will take exams at computers, laptops or even IPads. First subjects to be modified are
geography, philosophy, the German language. Then step by step other subjects will be included into
this list. And at last, it is planned that mathematics examination will have developed into electronic
form by 2019.
Now let me pay attention to Unified National Test of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Unified
National Test is one of the forms of final certifying examination of secondary school graduates
which also goes for entrance examination in university or other educational institution offering
higher education. The test is held once a year during the first two weeks of June at examination
conducting locations. In most cases these places are buildings of universities. At regional and city
Boards of education the UNT centres are organized the members of which must arrange all the
organizational work, inform students and other concerned people on the exam form, content and
other matters and coordinate the work concerning the usage of mobile phones, metal detectors,
video monitoring during examination (General rules of holding UNT).
A graduate has to take tests in five subjects and four of them are obligatory. Compulsory
subjects are Native Language (Kazakh or Russian), Mathematics, History of Kazakhstan, the
second language (Kazakh or Russian) depending on the study language. The fifth subject should be
chosen by a student very carefully because it defines the field of study at university. A graduate
must take one subject from the following list: World History, Kazakh or Russian Literature, Foreign
Languages, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Test on every subject contains 25 multiple-
choice test questions. All in all there are 125 questions for five subjects which should be answered
during 210 minutes. In 2013 a graduate was supposed to be passed the examination if he or she got 60
points out of 125 (ru.wikipedia.org). Unless a graduate scores minimal amount of points (for
example 60) he or she will not be accepted to university but there is a chance to study at technical
schools or colleges. I think the meaning of the word “college” should be explained. In Kazakhstan
“college” means secondary specialized educational institution which takes the position between
upper secondary schooland higher educational institution.
During Unified National Testing much attention is paid to discipline and rules. According to
exam rules every student is given a book with tests where he or she can find tests for every subject
and an answer sheet which must be filled in neatly and carefully. The questions in each book are
different due to variants. For examination each graduate has to bring entrance ticket, identity card,
pen, pencil and water if they need it. Students are allowed to take only Mendeleev’s periodic table if
their fifth subject is Chemistry. If graduates are noticed to use a calculator, a mobile phone, cheat
notes or any other device they are expelled and lose the right to enter university this year. Instead of
UNT expelled student takes a traditional examination at school and gets only a school diploma [2,
p.5].
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These students have a chance to enter colleges or try to enter university next year by taking
Complex Testing.
Having taken Unified National Testing a graduate has conflicting emotions like relief, anxiety
and hope for good results. UNT results are usually known in the evening of the examination day.
After three days from the date of exam a graduate gets a certificate where subjects, date and
points are indicated. This certificate defines the graduate’s future whether he or she can get an
educational grant to study on free basis at the university or his parents will have to pay for his or
her education. If parents are not financially able to pay for education, a graduate has to try to get
an educational college grant or study there paying an educational fee. Educational fee of college
is approximately three times lower than of university.
After a graduate takes the certificate, in the second half of June all the schools officially hand
over Diplomas of Graduation. Marks in the above mentioned subjects are put in Diploma
subsequent to the results of UNT. This day is celebrated by graduates, parents and teachers at
school during official part in the morning and magnificent party in the evening. All the students,
especially girls, get prepared for this party months before. They search for and buy or visit a
dressmaker for evening dresses and other accessories. This day is memorable for every graduate. It
is supposed to be a farewell party and a sign of new, adult life.
All the information given above is an overview for Finnish Matriculation Examination and
Unified National Testing (UNT) of Kazakhstan. Further we will compare two different but in the
same time similar kinds of examination.
Both examinations are taken by upper secondary school graduates. As I have mentioned UNT
is a school-leaving examination and simultaneously an entrance examination in higher educational
establishments whereas Matriculation examination is only school-leaving examination now.
However in the past Matriculation examination was conducted at universities which aimed to select
the cleverest students to admit there. As years moved on, this examination changed a lot and lost its
primary aim. UNT is very young compared to the Matriculation examination of Finland. For the
first time it was conducted in 2004 before we had had two different exams for Final Certifying
Examination and Entrance Examination. These examinations were replaced by UNT. With the help
of UNT it became possible to evaluate graduates’ knowledge objectively because it had a role of
external quality control of education. This examination gives the opportunity to improve efficiency
of the process of education quality management [3, p.1]. As everything changes over time and
different events I believe that in future UNT will be improved, moreover it is improving these days.
For example, this year UNT will lose its quality of an entrance examination in universities and
graduates will have to take Entrant’s Complex Testing.
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According to Matriculation examination students have to take four tests whereas at UNT
students take five tests. The difference is in number but in real life Finnish students also take 5 and
even more tests [5, p.1]. If we consider subjects, both examinations cover Mother tongue, second
language, Mathematics and at least one subject from general battery of tests. But a significant
difference can be noticed in content of these tests. To my mind Finnish students have a better
opportunity because they can choose a test level in most subjects though he or she has to choose one
high level test. UNT does not suppose different levels to choose but the questions in every test are
organized according to level of complexity. Also in Finnish examination tests there are various
forms of taking the tests for every subject. For example, Mother tongue test includes textual skill
section and writing an essay, Second national language and foreign language tests check graduate’s
listening, reading and writing skills according to chosen levels, Mathematics has 10 questions to
answer and general battery of subjects has up to ten questions [4, p.2]. To my mind different forms
and levels of testing is better because it gives the opportunity thoroughly and individually evaluate
student’s knowledge and skills. Having said “individually” I meant writing essays and open
question answers because they give a clearer picture of graduate’s level of literacy, coherence, logic
and thinking abilities.
Everyone who has read the overview of both tests noticed that there is a great difference in the
process of examination. As you have read above Matriculation examination is taken twice a year
and a graduate can take the tests at different time. Also if the test is failed a student can retake it
twice. But Unified National Testing can be taken only once and all the subjects are tested at one
time during 210 minutes. This is very stressful though graduates take mock examinations
approximately 4-6 times during the last year of education. But some students like the process of
UNT because they kill two birds with one stone and wait for results.
There are some examples of opportunities to adapt from the Matriculation examination of
Finland into the examination of Kazakhstan:
1) Finnish students can take examination on more than 4 compulsory subjects if they want.
And most of them take 5-6 subjects, but also there are students who take up to 10 subjects, which
give students an opportunity to have optional subjects if they change their mind to apply for the
profession they have chosen before. They can choose the best result among the passed subjects to
use with the aim to enter a higher educational institution. Also they have more chances to be
accepted to university.
2) The matriculation examination can be taken in 3 periods: in spring, in autumn, again in
spring. This way a student can divide subject examinations into different periods, plan their work
and prepare for tests step by step. Taking all subject tests during 210 minutes at once at UNT is very
stressful for graduates. It would be better to give students the chance to divide the final attestation
examination in two periods: winter, spring.
3) Conducting examination in two periods lets failed tests retake during the next period.
4) In Finland curriculum admits and lets the teaching staff use other ways of course, subject
assessment for immigrant students with linguistic difficulties, students with diagnosed impairments
and comparable difficulties, such as dyslexia. These students are given an opportunity to use special
arrangements and show their competences in a way other than in writing, i.e. in a way they can [6,
p.31]. But in Kazakhstan students who have diagnosed disabilities of different kinds; group 1 and 2
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physically handicapped students; participants of summer competitions, i.e. candidates of
Republican team taking part in international subject Olympiads and scientific competitions are
released of taking final attestation examination. This way they feel discriminated and unmotivated. I
suppose we should offer them other kinds of examination where they are able to show their
competences. And if two periodic examination taking form is accepted, it would be easier to
involve these students into final attestation.
5) Finns allow their graduates to use “Nspire” functional calculators solving trigonometrical,
integral based and other heavy tasks, Mendeleyev’s periodic table and reference books during
examination. It would be very helpful and supportive to let our students use simple calculators and
formula.
Here I have restricted some numbers because of possible obstacles they can meet in
Kazakhstan. For example, about the number of periods: not three but two. The numbers are
decreased because organizing every period needs financial support, but students’ well-being is more
valuable than money.
As we have noticed historical events, society influences on Final Certifying Examination of
every country. The examinations we have overviewed and compared today are the results of their
country history, educational management issues, society needs and world practice. Each of these
examinations has its pros and cons. The matriculation examination system is graduate friendly but
time and finance consuming for the state whereas UNT is good for educational management, “two
in one” (final certifying and entrance examination) but very stressful for graduates. In spite of these
weak points these forms of examinations are working and giving results. Surely they have some
weak points but I believe they will be eliminated and the systems of final certifying will find their
“golden mean”.
References
1. В 2013 году в Казахстане впервые будет aпрoбировано двухэтапное ЕНТ -
http://www.uchi.kz/kta (15.04.2013).
2. Правилапроведенияединогонациональноготестирования. Official site of Gymnasium92 -
http://kargoo.gov.kz/content/view/68/321313121 (05.06.2014).
3. Система работы по подготовке к ЕНТ. Official site of Pavlodar Education Board -
goo.kz/loader/load/10000 (07.06.2014).
4. The Finnish Matriculation Examination. Ylioppilastutkintosuomessa - http:
//www.ylioppilastutkinto.fi/en/ (07.06.2014).
5. Tina Harju. The Finnish Matriculation Examination: an Essential Part of Finnish Education
since 1852. University of Tampere, 2013 - http: //www15.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/A14PAPS/th-
exam.pdf (04.06.2014).
6. National core curriculum for upper secondary schools 2003, Finnish National Board of
Education, Finland -
http://www.oph.fi/english/curricula_and_qualifications/general_upper_secondary_education
(07.06.2014)
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