Herkansing

Herkansing is the Dutch term for a retake or re-examination. It refers to an opportunity to repeat an assessment after not meeting the required standard on the first attempt. It is used in primary, secondary and higher education in Dutch-speaking regions, notably the Netherlands and Flanders.

In most schools, herkansing applies to exams, tests, or assignments that contribute to a final grade. A pupil who failed a subject or certain components may be eligible for one or more herkansingen within a defined period or academic year. The format of the retake may differ from the original assessment (for example, different questions, updated material, or changed structure) to assess current knowledge.

Rules vary by institution: eligibility criteria, deadlines, and the number of allowed herkansingen per course are set by school policy. Some systems require attending additional tutoring or meeting remedial requirements before the retake is allowed; others permit retakes with no extra prerequisites but with a new testing window. The final grade is typically the higher score achieved on either attempt, though policies differ; in some cases the original grade can be replaced or counted with a cap.

Educational impact: herkansing provides a safety net to students and can encourage mastery, but it may also influence study behavior and workload, and raise concerns about equity.

Variations: In higher education, the equivalent term is often 'resit', used widely in universities across Dutch-speaking institutions and beyond; practice and terminology vary by country and program.