The number of students who failed one exam has more than doubled, from 376 to 818. The number of those who failed two exams increased from 53 to 82. A total of 750 students, or 4.7% of all examinees, did not meet the minimum threshold in the centralized math exam. In the Latvian language exam, 150 students, or 0.95% of those who took the exam, did not receive a passing grade. This year, the minimum passing threshold for centralized exams in primary school was raised from 10% to 15%. However, even if the previous 10% threshold had been maintained, the number of students failing the exams would have increased from 441 to 487. In the math exam, 314 students scored below 10%, while another 436 scored between 10% and 15%. In the Latvian language exam, 56 students scored below 10%, and another 94 scored between 10% and 15%. In secondary education, the most significant difficulties this year were caused by the optimal level math exam. 16.44% of students failed this exam, while 0.93% failed the Latvian language exam, and 2.15% failed the English language exam. In total, 2,591 students did not meet the minimum 20% threshold in the optimal level math exam. Of these, 1,599 were 11th-grade students and vocational school students, 660 were 12th-grade students in distance learning programs, and 332 were 12th-grade students in general secondary schools and gymnasiums. This year, one of the centralized exams in natural sciences became mandatory for students who did not pass the monitoring work in natural sciences and did not choose a higher-level exam. 4,375 students took one of the natural sciences exams, of which 124 did not meet the minimum threshold. Among them were 89 students from distance learning programs. The Minister of Education and Science, Ilze Indrikson, stated to journalists on Tuesday that centralized exams provide a unified and transparent assessment of students' knowledge and are also a necessary condition for continuing education in secondary and higher education. According to her, the exam system is developing in the right direction, but solutions must be sought to ensure that exams do not become an obstacle to further education and professional development for young people. Indrikson emphasized that special attention should be paid to 9th-grade graduates who did not pass the centralized exams. The minister believes that currently, the availability of vocational education programs for such young people is limited, so it is necessary to expand opportunities for obtaining professions and reduce the risk of repeating the same grade. The State Education Development Agency (SEDA) believes that the results of this year's centralized exams indicate a positive trend. At the same time, changes in the results of primary and secondary school exams are statistically insignificant, so it is premature to speak of long-term trends. SEDA particularly noted the results of the math exam in 9th grades. Although the number of students who did not reach the minimum threshold increased, the number of students with very high results also grew. As a result, the average exam score increased by one percentage point. The agency attributes this to more targeted preparation of students for exams. Evaluating the results of students in distance learning programs, SEDA expressed concerns that in some cases, students were insufficiently informed about the procedures or structure of the exams. There were instances where students attended only one part of the exam or did not show up at all. At the same time, the agency emphasizes that this data does not allow for conclusions about the low results of all distance learning schools. Some of them demonstrated very good results, so it is necessary to evaluate the work of each school separately. The Ministry of Education and Science is currently developing more detailed quality criteria and requirements for the accreditation of distance learning programs. A more detailed analysis of the results by types of schools and educational programs will be prepared in the fall, after the appeals process is completed. Appeals regarding the results of centralized primary school exams can be submitted until July 27, and for secondary school exams until August 4. Certificates for centralized primary school exams will be issued from June 26, and certificates for centralized general secondary education exams will be available from July 3. This year, 47,647 works from centralized exams and monitoring works were checked in primary school, and 74,646 works from centralized exams were checked in secondary school.