The State Examination Center (SEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan will conduct the Azerbaijani language (state language) exam on May 3, 2026. The examination is mandatory for 9th and 11th-grade students of general education institutions where the language of instruction is not Azerbaijani, as well as for graduates of previous years applying for admission to higher and secondary specialized education institutions.
According to information provided by the “Operative Information Center-OMM” from the SEC, the exams will be organized in 129 buildings across 21 cities and regions, including Baku, Sumgait, Ganja, and Nakhchivan. The examination is scheduled to begin simultaneously at 10:00 AM. Access to the examination halls will be closed at 09:45 AM, and participants arriving after this time will not be admitted. Candidates are required to bring their original identification documents and printed admission tickets.
The 90-minute exam consists of 30 tasks covering listening comprehension, grammar, and reading skills. For current 9th and 11th-grade students, the maximum score is 100 points, which will be reflected in their final certification documents. For graduates of previous years, the maximum score is 30 points, with a minimum of 15 points required to pass. A total of 29,182 candidates are expected to participate, supported by over 3,000 supervisors and staff. The SEC has also implemented special measures for 55 students with disabilities, including dedicated halls and individual assistants for visually impaired participants to ensure an inclusive testing environment.
The state language examination is a critical component of Azerbaijan's national education system, ensuring that all students, regardless of their primary language of instruction, possess the necessary proficiency in the official language of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This requirement aligns with the country's educational standards and the Law on the State Language, facilitating better integration into the national labor market and higher education landscape. The State Examination Center, established to ensure centralized and transparent assessment, continues to oversee the admission process for all levels of education in Azerbaijan.
