Education Ministry Allows Private A-Level and Edexcel Exams in May And June

The Ministry of Education has announced that students who wish to sit A-Level and Edexcel examinations privately will be given the opportunity to do so locally during the May and June examination session this year.

Edexcel A-Level examinations were traditionally held in May and June until the early 2000s, but in recent years A-Level exams in the Maldives have largely been conducted only in October and November. Last year marked the first May/June sitting in five years.

Students have repeatedly raised concerns that holding A-Level examinations only once a year limits academic progress, wastes time, and reduces opportunities to improve results, particularly for those seeking scholarships. A petition calling for the reinstatement of the May/June session has been circulating among students.

In a press release issued on Monday, the ministry noted that students who previously wished to sit the May/June examinations were required to travel abroad, with average travel and accommodation costs exceeding MVR 30,000.

To reduce this financial burden, the ministry has decided to allow private candidates to sit the examinations within the Maldives during the May/June session. The Department of Public Examinations is expected to release further details about the arrangements next Wednesday.

The ministry clarified that while Edexcel examinations will be available in May and June, the national A-Level examinations will continue to be held in October and November. Students supporting the petition have argued that the once-a-year system leaves no opportunity to retake examinations within the same academic cycle, affecting scholarship eligibility as selections are based on top A-Level results.

They have also highlighted the academic and mental strain caused by retaking Grade 11 subjects while managing Grade 12 coursework. Students believe that reinstating the May/June session will improve overall performance and increase pass rates.