Bro, sit down because I've got news that'll make you jump out of your seat more than when Mioara tells me bread's gone up again! Over 130,000 high school graduates start the baccalaureate skills tests on Monday, June 8, according to the Ministry of Education. That's right now, when I'm watching Brian play on TikTok instead of studying, and he says 'I'm ready, dad, don't worry.' That's what he said two years ago at the mock exam, when he got a 4 in Romanian. Man, crazy!
And it's not just this year's batch; those from previous years who haven't passed yet are coming too. Some are only taking the tests they failed, like they're paying off debts. Just like me with my BMW, 'cause I'm still paying Relu. The skills tests run from June 8 to 17, according to the approved calendar. First up, Test A, oral communication in Romanian, from June 8 to 10. Then Test B, for mother tongue, on June 10-11, Test C, for a foreign language, on June 11-12, and Test D, digital skills, on June 15-17. No grades, just competency levels according to national and European standards. So you're not 'passed' or 'failed' anymore; you're 'beginner' or 'advanced.' Like Brian's games, bro, level 1, level 2... At least at my job, if you can't drill a hole in the wall, you're 'failed' from the start.
Each candidate is evaluated by two examiners: one who taught the subject in class and another from the same specialty from the school. If there aren't enough, they bring in from other schools. Man, what a comedy! And if you refuse to answer or solve the topics, you're marked absent for that test. That's what I do when Mioara asks why I'm late: I stay quiet, and she marks me absent from dinner.
The rules are strict, bro, but strict as hell! No backpacks, rucksacks, bags, purses, mobile phones, headphones, smartwatches, IoT devices... any electronic means of calculation or communication. You leave them in designated areas. And guess what? If they catch you with anything, you're eliminated on the spot, whether you used it or not. All tests are monitored and audio-video recorded. That's how it should be on my construction site, to see who's stealing materials. But no, it's like the Wild West here.
The written tests start on June 29 with Romanian Language and Literature (Test E.a). On June 30, it's the mandatory profile test (E.c), on July 2 the elective test (E.d), and on July 3 the mother tongue test (E.b). Initial results will be posted on July 7 by 12:00 PM. That same day, between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, candidates can view their papers and file appeals. Viewing and appeals continue on July 8 and 9, with final results on July 13. That's a week of emotions and calls to the teacher. Like when I'm waiting for the electricity bill, you never know what surprise you'll get.
And don't forget, for 8th graders, the National Evaluation 2026 is coming. Classes end on June 12, and registration is from June 10 to 12. The admission average for high school is the overall average from the National Evaluation, without rounding. For vocational high schools, aptitude tests are added. And if two candidates have the same average, tie-breakers are based on the overall middle school average, then the Romanian grade, then Math. So if you want to get into a good high school, you have to be perfect. Just like at a beauty contest, bro, where they look at waist and weight.
Now, I'm going to wake up Brian, 'cause he's got two days until the skills test. If he doesn't get at least level 2 in digital, I'm selling his console and putting him to work on the construction site. That's how it is, bro: if there's no school, it's a joke.
