Egyptian Preparatory Students Continue Exams Amid Mixed Feedback

انطلاق امتحانات الشهادة الإعدادية.

Students across Egypt are continuing their second-semester examinations for the 2025/2026 academic year, which began on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

On Monday, the Egyptian Mothers Union and the Parents Coalition monitored the examination levels across various governorates. In Cairo and Sharqia, students sat for the English language exam, while those in Giza and Menoufia tackled the science exam. In Alexandria, Beheira, and Gharbia, students took their social studies exam.

Regarding the English language exam, Abeer Ahmed, founder of the Egyptian Mothers Union and Parents Coalition, noted that students and parents in Cairo reported that most questions were at an average level. However, some expressed difficulty with a lengthy passage that included challenging points.

Opinions among students in Sharqia varied regarding the English exam’s difficulty, with some finding it easy while others struggled.

In Giza, both students and parents voiced concerns about the science exam’s difficulty, stating that it required considerable time and thought to complete. Similar sentiments were echoed by students in Menoufia, who also found many questions challenging.

Students in Alexandria indicated that their social studies exam included several questions above the average student’s capability. Conversely, those in Beheira and Gharbia found their exams to be manageable.

Abeer Ahmed emphasized the importance of parents encouraging their children to focus during upcoming exams and creating a supportive home environment to facilitate effective study sessions.

Preparatory Certificate Exams 2026

The second-semester examinations for the preparatory certificate will continue until Thursday, June 11, 2026, as per the schedules published by each governorate.

The Ministry of Education has instructed educational directors to ensure strict oversight during these exams and to combat cheating attempts. This includes enforcing Law No. 205 of 2020 concerning examination integrity and Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2018 regarding cancellation or deprivation from exams.

The majority of governorates are utilizing a booklet system for these exams as directed by the Ministry of Education to minimize cheating and prevent question paper circulation via electronic platforms by merging question papers with answer sheets.

The preparatory certificate exams are crucial for students since their scores will determine their educational paths in secondary education—whether they proceed to general secondary school or vocational education—and whether they qualify for specialized schools such as STEM schools or technical institutes like the Japanese-Egyptian Institute.

These exams are conducted in a two-semester system totaling 280 points—140 points per semester—exclusively allocated for examinations without including continuous assessment grades.

A student needs over 200 points to enroll in general secondary schools or applied technology schools and more than 250 points for admission into gifted schools.