Central Data Catalog

The Lower Secondary Examination (PMB) was administered annually between 1997 and 2009 by the Ministry of Education to grade 9 (ISCED 2) students in general education programmes in public and private schools. From 2010 onwards, the PMB was discontinued and replaced by the Student Progress Assessment (SPA). The SPA comprises two components: the School Based Assessment (SBA), which consists of continuous school-based assessment throughout grade 7 and grade 8; and the Student Progress Examination (SPE) that takes place at the end of Grade 8. See separate Catalogue entry for SPE.

The PMB is a high-stake and mandatory examination that certifies completion of lower secondary general education programmes. Obtaining specific minimum grades in some of the PMB subjects is a requirement for students wishing to pursue an upper secondary education (ISCED 3).

The PMB is a written examination, administered face-to-face and delivered through paper-pencil tests. All test-takers are presented with the same cognitive booklets or tests, which are aligned with the national curriculum.

The PMB serves the following purposes:

- student certification for completion of lower secondary general education programmes

- student selection to higher education programmes or admission into specific courses or tracks

- school or educator accountability

- sub-national level monitoring of learning outcomes

- monitoring education quality levels

- planning education policy reforms

Census (all students at the given grades or ages)

Results are reported at the student, school, sub-national and national levels. Data are disaggregated by sex and type of schools (public and private).

Results are published in reports, which are available in print. Examination results are broadcasted on the radio and on television, and published in the media.