Eighth-grade exam results are out. What to do next in admissions

Results in numbers

On 3 July the Central Examination Board (CKE) published the eighth-grade exam results. On average pupils scored 65% in Polish, 55% in maths and 73% in English — higher than a year earlier in all three (64%, 50% and 70%). About 386,000 pupils sat the exam in the main session.

Pupils could check individual results in the ZIU system and collect statements at their schools. Remember: the national average says nothing about whether a score is enough for a particular school — that depends on this year's thresholds.

Upcoming deadlines

The calendar depends on the region. For example:

• Mazowieckie: certificate and statement delivered 3–7 July, qualified lists 17 July, confirmation 17–21 July, admitted lists 22 July;
• Śląskie: completing the application and possibly changing schools by 10 July, qualified lists 15 July, confirmation 15–20 July, admitted lists 21 July;
• Wielkopolskie: adding the certificate and exam result 3–7 July.

Should you change the list of schools?

In many regions you can change the application after results. Consider it if the score is clearly different from expectations. Count the points (Polish and maths × 0.35, foreign language × 0.3, plus report-card points) and compare with past thresholds, remembering that thresholds change.

Keep what your child really wants at the top — the system will place them in the highest-ranked class their points allow. But add at least one or two safe options.

Confirming the place

This is July's most important step. After the qualified lists are published, you must confirm the intention to study at the school by the deadline — usually by submitting the original certificate and results statement, and for vocational schools also a medical certificate. Without this the candidate is not admitted, even if they were on the list.

If your child doesn't get in

All is not lost. You can ask the admissions committee for a justification of the refusal and then appeal to the headteacher. Superintendents publish information on free places, and schools run supplementary rounds — in Silesia applications are accepted from 23 to 29 July. Good schools sometimes have places too, in less popular classes.