School-Leaving Examinations
At the conclusion of form levels 9 and 10, Folkeskole pupils sit for school-leaving examinations. This is compulsory after form level 9 but voluntary after the 10th. The examinations after the 10th form level place higher academic demands on the pupils than the examinations after form level 9.
Standard rules for all examinations ensure uniformity throughout the country. For the same reason, the papers for the written examinations are set and marked centrally. Each examination subject is assessed on its own merit; results cannot be summed up to give an average mark.
At the conclusion of the 9th form level, pupils sit for the Folkeskole’s final examinations, which can be taken in the following subjects: Danish, English, Christian studies, history, social studies, mathematics, geography, biology, physics/chemistry and German and French as electives.
Pupils must sit for examinations in a total of seven subjects. Five of the subjects are compulsory for all pupils: written and oral examinations in Danish, a written examination in mathematics, oral examinations in English, and oral common examination in physics/chemistry, biology, and geography. Moreover, each pupil must additionally sit for two examinations that are drawn at random: one from the humanities group, which includes written English, French, or German, oral French or German, history, social studies, and Christian studies, and one from the science group, which consists of written physics/chemistry, geography, or biology.
The examinations at the conclusion of the 9th form level are compulsory in order to ensure that all young people have a solid academic ballast when they leave the Folkeskole and thereby a better foundation for completing a post-compulsory education.
At the completion of education in the 10th form level, pupils have the opportunity to sit for examinations in one or more of the following subjects: Danish, mathematics, English, German/French and physics/chemistry. Additionally, pupils can choose to sit for one or more of the 9th form level examinations in Danish, mathematics, English, or physics/chemistry, or choose a combination of 9th and 10th form level examinations.
Other Forms of Assessment
At the 9th and 10th form levels, a mandatory project assignment gives pupils the opportunity to complete and present an interdisciplinary project. The project assignment is assessed in a written statement on the content, working process, and presentation of the final result. The written statement affords a broader and more detailed assessment of the pupil’s ability. At the pupil’s request, a mark can also be given. The assessment of the project assignment can be indicated in the leaving certificate upon request of the pupil.