Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (FMC) — More than 563,000 students across Ethiopia have begun sitting for the 2026 Grade 12 national examination, the Ministry of Education announced.
Speaking at a media briefing held at Abrehot Library today, Minister of Education Professor Berhanu Nega officially announced the commencement of the nationwide school-leaving examination.
The minister said this year’s examination is being administered through a hybrid system, combining both online and paper-based testing.
According to the ministry, a total of 563,501 students have registered for the examination. Of these, 62 percent are taking the test electronically, while the remaining candidates are sitting for the paper-based examination.
Professor Berhanu expressed confidence that this year’s examination would record an improved pass rate, attributing the anticipated outcome to the extensive tutorial support provided to students in preparation for the exams.
He also stressed that comprehensive measures have been put in place to uphold the integrity of the examination process, ensuring a secure, cheating-free environment in which students are assessed solely on the basis of their knowledge, competence, and individual performance.
Addis Ababa Education Bureau Head Zelalem Mulatu, for his part, said 58,309 students have registered to sit for the Grade 12 national examination in the capital.
He added that all examination centers in Addis Ababa are administering the school-leaving examination entirely through an online platform.