Finishing school years later: external exams and schools for adults

Two routes to missing qualifications

An adult who didn't finish school has two main options. The first is a school for adults — a primary school or general secondary school for adults (liceum ogólnokształcące dla dorosłych), usually part-time. The second is external exams (egzaminy eksternistyczne): preparing on your own and passing exams in individual subjects before a regional examination board (OKE), without attending classes.

External exams cover the curriculum of primary school for adults, general secondary school for adults and general education in first- and second-level vocational schools. Someone who passes all the required exams receives a certificate — and after the secondary-school scope can sit the matura.

Who can take them

The OKE admits people who are 18 at the latest on the first exam day of the session in which they take exams for the first time. For the general secondary school for adults or first-level vocational school scope, you need to have completed primary school (or lower secondary school, gimnazjum). For second-level vocational school — a completed first-level vocational school, basic vocational school or the corresponding external exams.

Deadlines to know

External exams take place twice a year: in the winter session (February) and the autumn session (October). The application for admission goes to the OKE no later than 2 months before the session starts — so for the October session you need to apply by the end of July; before the session you also submit a declaration listing subjects and proof of payment.

• You have 3 years from the first session to pass all exams; in justified cases the OKE director may extend this.
• The exams are paid, but people on low incomes can apply for full or partial fee exemption.
• The application must include, among other things, the school certificate that qualifies you for admission.

A change from 2027

A regulation of 31 March 2026 adds civic education (edukacja obywatelska) to the external exams: for the first-level vocational school scope from the autumn 2027 session, and for the general secondary school for adults scope from the autumn 2028 session. It does not apply to people who started taking exams earlier.

How to prepare

External exams demand independence. Start with the CKE guides (informatory) describing requirements and sample tasks, then plan your study subject by subject.

• Don't take everything at once — spread the subjects over two or three sessions.
• Start with the subjects you remember best to build confidence.
• Consider a preparatory course or consultations — the labour office may cover part of the cost if you are registered.
• If you prefer regular classes and contact with a teacher, look for a school for adults nearby — public ones are free.