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Flowchart of procedures from the development of subject and exam specifications to the issue of exam results

Vocational Matura Curriculum and subject and exam specifications

Assessment objectives are determined within subject specifications (for general education subjects) and exam specifications (for qualification-specific exams). The content, scope and level of knowledge as determined by each subject or exam specification must not exceed the syllabi for individual subjects.

General education subjects

Each national exam committee for general education subjects (i.e. first and third VM subjects) prepares a draft version of a subject specification. After the National Committee has approved the draft versions, they then forward them to the National Council of Experts for General Education for endorsement.

Qualification-specific exams

A draft version of an exam specification for each qualification-specific exam, i.e. second VM subject, is drawn up by the National Institute for Vocational Education and Training. After the National Committee has evaluated the draft versions, they forward them to the National Council of Experts for Vocational and Technical Education for endorsement.

The objectives of the VM, the number of subjects available, both compulsory and optional, and the manner and forms of assessment, etc., are determined by the Vocational Matura Curriculum established each year by the National Committee and endorsed by the National Council of Experts for Vocational and Technical Education.

Candidates have to be informed about the scope, content, responsibilities and requirements for taking the VM no later than two years in advance (by the time they enrol in Year 3). Subsequent changes are possible (and allowed) only when they do not concern the scope, content, responsibilities or requirements for taking the VM, or, when they put candidates in a more favourable position.

Development of examination materials

Examination materials in first, second and third subjects are set by national exam committees (the Centre) in accordance with subject or exam specifications. The National Institute for Vocational Education and Training and schools set exams in all other second, and fourth, subjects. The Centre is responsible for the proofreading and formatting of materials; for candidates from the Italian and Hungarian ethnic minorities, materials are translated. The Centre is also responsible for modified question papers for candidates with special needs. A set of question papers for any individual exam series is determined through a random draw by the National Committee. For detailed information on the structure of exams for individual subjects, click here.

Maintaining confidentiality and security of exams and logistics

All procedures for the development, printing and distribution of examination materials to schools, as well as procedures of assessment, are designed with a view to maintaining the confidentiality and security of examination materials as well as the anonymity of all candidates. Careful recording of the examination materials prior to sending them to and from schools ensures the traceability of question papers during the administration of the exams.

Exams and assessment

Question papers and marking schemes for first, second and third subjects are developed externally and all candidates take the same tests on the same day at the same time. For all other second, and fourth, subjects, the National Institute for Vocational Education and Training provides schools with a broad framework on how to develop tasks and how to mark and assess them, and examination tasks are developed in schools based on these instructions.

As with the GM, prior to assessment, each national exam committee for first, second and third subjects carries out moderation of the marking scheme on a random sample of scripts (photocopies of question papers that schools send to the Centre). Each national exam committee checks sample papers and updates the marking schemes with answers they had not included but are nevertheless correct. A moderated version of the marking schemes for first, second and third subjects are published on the website of the Centre where exam officers from exam offices can access them.

Question papers in all VM subjects are marked by teachers in schools. In mother tongues, foreign languages and second languages, open-ended tasks (i.e. essays) are marked by two examiners, and in this case, a candidate is awarded the average of the marks. In fourth subjects, assessment boards can be complemented by external members.

Gathering data, setting grade boundaries and informing candidates

Exam offices send data on marking for each candidate in first, second and third subjects to the Centre. The IT Centre and Research & Development Unit conduct a number of statistical analyses of candidates’ achievements based on which each national exam committee draws up a proposal for the conversion of marks into grades (i.e. how many percent are required in any individual subject for each grade). The proposal must be approved by the National Committee. For all other second, and fourth, subjects, criteria for the conversion of marks into grades are established by exam offices. Criteria established for the Spring exam series are valid also for the following two, i.e. the Autumn and the Winter, exam series.

The Centre sends the criteria for the conversion of marks into grades for first, second and third subjects to schools; they, in turn, on the day when exam results are published (determined by the Key Dates Calendar for the Vocational Matura), inform candidates about their achievement in the VM. The Centre sends data on candidates’ achievement to the higher education application and information services of all higher education institutions (universities and colleges).

Later, analyses of achievement at school level are carried out by the head teacher and teachers using the online Tool for Quality Assessment of Knowledge (OrKa).



 

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