On August 19, Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene became acquainted with how the General Entrance Exams are being organized at schools.

With the first exam taking place for the subject of Mongolian History, the exams are planned to be organized until August 22. Of a total of 1,696 examinees registered to take the Mongolian History exam, 74.1 percent or 1,258 examinees have taken the exam, which is a lower attendance rate compared to last year.

Until the end of the exams, the examinees are able to travel for free on public transport by showing their documents. Furthermore, as traffic wardens have been stationed near schools where the General Entrance Exams are being organized, it is possible for examinees to quickly arrive at their exam venues.

Minister of Education and Science L.Enkh-Amgalan said, “40,420 examinees are taking the exams this year. If the exams had been organized between June 29 and July 2, it would not have been possible for over 5,000 examinees that recently tested positive for COVID-19 or became a close contact to take their exams.

As of today, about 98 percent of the students have been fully vaccinated. Thus, we believe that there would not be any high risk of getting infected. About 150 thousand students will be studying at colleges and universities this year.”

As for students that are currently unable to take the exams due to COVID-specific reasons, the exams will be organized once again from September 2 to 5. Furthermore, the Ministry is currently planning to have the General Entrance Exams organized biannually in the future. Alongside transitioning into a system where examinees will be able to take their exams at their preferred date, the exams are planned to be divided into three levels. “This is due to how it is unfair for a student planning to major in Mathematics to take the same level of exam as a student who is looking to enroll in an undergraduate program for performing arts,” highlighted the Minister of Education and Science.

Classes will resume for colleges and universities from September 13.

More specifically, while the academic year will begin for schools and kindergartens from September 1, classes will begin at colleges and universities once students are enrolled following the completion of the General Entrance Exams that will be organized for the second time.

As this year’s General Entrance Exams are being organized during a pandemic, all examinees are being allowed entry after having their body temperatures checked. With infection prevention guidelines in place, students found to have high body temperatures will be tested for COVID-19 in a dedicated room at each school.

Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene said, “While previously, all levels of educational institutions had transitioned to organizing classes online due to the pandemic, classes will soon begin to take place in-person as the nationwide vaccination rate has reached over 60 percent, with over 90 percent of all teachers and students vaccinated. It is important for all sides involved to put in effort into resuming in-person classes - and gradually return to our normal way of life.”

Of a total of 40,420 examinees taking this year’s General Entrance Exams, there are eight examinees that are above the age of 50, reports the Education Ministry.