maturiteet

Maturiteet is a term used in Finland to denote the matriculation examination, a national standardized test administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education. It is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a student's readiness for higher education and is typically taken at the end of upper secondary school, known as lukio.

The examination consists of several compulsory and optional subjects. Students must complete a minimum number of compulsory tests, which usually include Finnish language and literature, and a second national language (Swedish). They can then choose from a range of optional subjects, such as mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages, to further demonstrate their academic strengths. The structure and content of the maturiteet are updated periodically to align with curriculum changes and evolving educational needs.

Passing the maturiteet is a prerequisite for admission to most universities and universities of applied sciences in Finland. The examination results are graded on a scale, and universities use these grades, along with other criteria, to select applicants. The maturiteet is highly regarded as a fair and rigorous measure of academic achievement and is a significant milestone in the Finnish educational system.