Students from Saxony-Anhalt have successfully completed their high school and vocational education.
In the recent school year of 2024/2025, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, witnessed a slight increase in student population by 1.0%, according to data released for the 2023/2024 school year [1]. However, the latest exam results suggest a more complex picture, with challenges in educational attainment levels that may have impacted the performance of students.
The broader context of German education shows declining competencies in key subjects like reading, mathematics, and science, as indicated by the 2022 PISA report. German students’ performance in these areas has fallen to the lowest level recorded, with many not meeting minimum requirements for qualifications [2]. This trend is likely to have influenced school-leaving exam results, including Abitur and Realschulabschluss.
The Realschule attendance rate was about 17.4% nationally during the 2022-2023 school year, though regional specifics for Saxony-Anhalt are not directly detailed [2]. The proportion of students attending lower-tier schools such as Hauptschule was lower (7.2%), indicating a general structure of secondary education pathways.
Despite these challenges, the Abitur and Realschulabschluss exams in Saxony-Anhalt this year showed some encouraging results. Out of 4,988 students admitted to the Abitur written exams, 4,707 successfully completed their Abitur. The German average grade in the Abitur exams for the current year is 8.13 points, an increase of 0.49 points compared to the previous year [3]. The failure rate for the Abitur exams was 5.69%, a decrease compared to the previous year (6.91%) [3].
The average grade for Abitur students in general education schools in Saxony-Anhalt was 2.27, maintaining the good result level of the previous year [3]. In the core subjects on the 15-point scale (both levels of demand combined), the English average grade was 8.59 points, slightly below the previous year’s value, while the mathematics average grade was 9.31 points, an increase of 1.01 points compared to the previous year [3].
Minister of Education Eva Feußner praised the graduates for laying a strong foundation for their future with their achievements. She expressed her gratitude to all teachers for their competent and committed guidance [3]. Feußner also extended her congratulations to all graduates, acknowledging their perseverance, dedication, and hard work [4]. She wished a new and exciting chapter of life to all graduates, whether they are pursuing university, apprenticeship, or another path.
In the Realschulabschluss exams, around 9,000 students completed their exams in spring 2025. The average grade for Realschulabschluss students in the three core subjects (German, English, and mathematics) for the current year is stable compared to the previous year [4]. Intensive days were offered during the current year to prepare students specifically for the Realschulabschluss written exams, following positive feedback from the previous year [4].
The Minister of Education also wished everyone a relaxing summer, acknowledging the hard work and team effort that contributed to the success of the school year [3]. She extended her congratulations to all graduates, including those who achieved an outstanding result, with 153 students achieving an average grade of 1.0 in the Abitur exams [3]. A total of 609 students with an average of 1.4 or better achieved an Abitur with a "1 before the comma" [4].
These results suggest a mixed picture for the educational landscape in Saxony-Anhalt. While there are areas of improvement, the broader context of declining competencies in key subjects remains a concern. As the region continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on providing quality education and supporting students to reach their full potential.
[1] [2] [3] [4] - Sources for the information provided in the article.
- The decline in key subject competencies, as evident in the 2022 PISA report, raises concerns about the general educational landscape in Germany, potentially impacting school-leaving exam results such as Abitur and Realschulabschluss.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, the German government should consider strategies to improve education quality and foster self-development, addressing the documented challenges in subjects like reading, mathematics, and science.
- As the 2024/2025 school year approaches, general news outlets could highlight the importance of education and learning in battling these challenges, advocating for continued improvement in educational policies and attainment levels.
