Iraq begins second-semester exams for middle-school finalists at 743 centers

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq launched second-semester exams for final-year middle-school students on Sunday across 743 centers nationwide, with 391,939 students sitting the tests, the Education Ministry said. Education Minister Abdulkarim Abitan al-Juburi directed field teams to monitor the exams and ensure coordination between sub-committees and support units so that the process runs smoothly, according to the ministry. Second-semester exams for preparatory high-school students in the science and social sciences branches are scheduled to begin on Monday, with 544,311 students expected to sit the tests at 2,609 centers. Vocational education students will also take their exams at 226 centers, comprising 175 theoretical and 51 practical testing sites, with 37,074 students enrolled. The ministry said logistical preparations had been completed and that necessary measures had been taken to ensure the exams proceed without disruption. The exams cover the 2025–2026 academic year.