Entrance exams for secondary schools in the Czech Republic have come under criticism due to their difficulty level, causing stress and anxiety for students and parents. The tests are prepared by Cermat, a state organization that prepares unified tests. This year, parents and students have expressed their outrage that the tests are mainly identical to those for younger students, making it more challenging for older students to get into a gymnasium.

Many parents have enrolled their children in preparatory courses to give them a better chance of getting into the desired gymnasium. Still, the difficulty level of the tests has been criticized as unnecessary and demotivating for children. The tests are too complex, and some students do not manage to answer them, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Despite the criticism, Cermat claims that the tests align with the Framework Educational Programs (RVP) for the given level. However, mathematician Oldřich Botlík believes the entrance exams for fifth-graders and ninth-graders are too tricky and unnecessarily difficult.

The entrance exams put undue pressure on children to succeed, causing harm to their mental health and well-being. Parents push their children to get into the gymnasium as soon as possible, and the problematic tasks do not help. The tests force children to prepare for a long time, leading to increased stress levels.

To reduce the stress and anxiety caused by entrance exams, educators should design tests that align with the educational programs and do not place unnecessary pressure on students. Children should be encouraged to enjoy learning rather than preparing for stressful exams.

In conclusion, entrance exams for secondary schools in the Czech Republic have come under scrutiny due to their difficulty level. Parents and students have expressed their outrage, leading to increased stress and anxiety for children. The tests need to be re-designed to align with the educational programs and reduce pressure on students.

Article by Prague Forum