Exam time for Polish high school seniors

High school seniors across Poland began a round of graduation exams on Monday.

Students take a school-leaving exam in Szczecin, northwestern Poland.

Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki

The tests started at 9 a.m. with a Polish-language exam, public broadcaster Polish Radio's IAR news agency reported.

President Karol Nawrocki wrote on X: "Dear high school seniors, today you begin your final exams. I wish you confidence in your abilities and in the knowledge you've gained. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Good luck!"

Drodzy Maturzyści, dziś rozpoczynacie egzamin dojrzałości. Życzę Wam wiary we własne siły i zdobytą wiedzę.
Trzymam za Was kciuki.
Powodzenia!

— Karol Nawrocki (@NawrockiKn) May 4, 2026

The matura high school-leaving exams are a rite of passage in Poland. Photo: PAP/Marcin Bielecki

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka also wished students the best of luck.

Powodzenia, Maturzystki i Maturzyści.
Będzie dobrze.
Synu, za Ciebie kciuki trzymam szczególnie mocno. pic.twitter.com/V1ZAsgt7tD

— Barbara Nowacka (@barbaraanowacka) May 4, 2026

🖊️ Połamania piór!

💬 Ministra @barbaraanowacka w programie #Graffiti @PolsatNewsPL 👇 pic.twitter.com/EWgxhzVpvc

— KP Koalicja Obywatelska 🇵🇱✌️ (@ko_klub) May 4, 2026

On Tuesday, students will take a mathematics exam, followed by a foreign-language test on Wednesday.

Photo: PAP/Lech Muszyński

They must sit exams in three compulsory subjects, though most also choose additional subjects required for university admission, according to officials.

👨‍🎓 Drodzy Maturzyści, życzymy powodzenia i jak najlepszych wyników! pic.twitter.com/2S6VA8KkW5

— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) May 4, 2026

The matura exams are a rite of passage in Poland and play a key role in shaping students' futures.

Around 256,700 secondary school students nationwide are expected to take the exams this month, state news agency PAP reported.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP