Ministry releases 2026 national assessment results with sharp drop in top scores

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9 days · 6 summary articles
The Ministry of Education released the initial results of the 2026 National Assessment (Evaluarea Națională) on Tuesday, 30 June, a day earlier than scheduled, revealing a sharp decline in top-performing students compared to previous years. Only seven pupils nationwide achieved the maximum average of 10, down from 85 in 2025, marking the lowest number of perfect scores since 2011 .
The results, published at 17:00 on the ministry’s official platform and at examination centres, showed that 143,251 of the 148,268 enrolled eighth-grade students sat the exams, yielding a participation rate of 96.6% . While the overall pass rate remains high, with 79 candidates securing at least a 5 average, the drop in top marks has raised questions about grading standards and student preparedness. Mathematics proved the most challenging subject, with over a quarter of candidates scoring below 5 .
The seven perfect scores were distributed across five counties: three in Bucharest, and one each in Gorj, Iași, Prahova, and Mureș . The ministry did not immediately provide comparative data on subject-level performance, but preliminary reports indicated stronger results in Romanian language than in mathematics .
Students dissatisfied with their grades may file appeals starting Wednesday, 1 July, at 14:00, with the window remaining open through 3 July. Candidates can first request to view their papers before submitting a formal contestation . The ministry has not indicated whether the early release of results will affect the timeline for high school admissions, which traditionally follow the appeals process.
Education analysts suggest the decline in top marks may reflect stricter grading or increased difficulty in this year’s papers, though the ministry has not commented on the matter. The results come amid broader debates over educational standards and equity in Romania’s school system, with critics arguing that regional disparities persist in access to quality preparation resources. The next phase of the assessment cycle will unfold as appeals are processed and final grades are confirmed.
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