The Ministry of National Education has issued a new ministerial decision outlining updated procedures for organizing the Intermediate Education Certificate exam. The decision, numbered 07 and dated June 27, 2026, details the revised framework for the examination process. These new procedures aim to standardize and clarify the examination guidelines for all participants and institutions involved. The ministry’s announcement marks a significant update to the established protocols governing the intermediate education assessment.
Exam Structure and Registration Process
The Intermediate Education Certificate exam will proceed without cancellation and will be conducted in a single annual session. The Minister of National Education will determine the specific schedule for the exam, including its dates and times. Registration for the 'BEM' exam will be managed by parents or guardians of candidates. This process will occur exclusively through an online portal designed for parents within the education sector's digital system. Electronically, registration fees must be paid. Middle school principals are no longer responsible for registering their students under the new procedures. Candidates participating via distance learning can take the exam as private candidates if they are regularly enrolled in the fourth year of middle school or an equivalent level at an accredited distance learning institution. These distance learning candidates must submit a paper file containing proof of payment, a school certificate, and a physical fitness card certified by a school health doctor for the Physical Education exam.
Correction and Grading Policies
The Ministry of National Education’s decision mandates a double correction system for all exam answer sheets. Should a significant discrepancy arise between the initial two grades, a third correction will be applied to the affected paper. The Ministry stated that decisions rendered by deliberation committees are final, precluding any appeals for re-correction or grade review. The total weighting coefficient for all subjects in the Intermediate Education Certificate exam is set at 28. Among the subjects, the highest coefficients are allocated to Arabic Language with 5, Mathematics with 4, History and Geography with 3, and English Language also with 3. For activity subjects such as Physical Education and Sports, Music Education, and Art Education, the annual average will be calculated, with each subject assigned a coefficient of 1.
Cheating Penalties and Special Cases
Penalties for cheating during the Intermediate Education Certificate exam will be tightened, potentially leading to a ban from the exam for up to five years. Punishments for cheating can include a ban from participating in the exam for three to five years for candidates aged 16 and over. Any candidate proven to have cheated or attempted to cheat will be prevented from continuing the examination by the center's president. These penalties for cheating do not preclude criminal prosecution, according to the Ministry.
In specific cases, candidates who have studied the Amazigh language must pass an exam in this subject. Additionally, private candidates are required to pass a mandatory examination in Physical Education and Sports.
Broader Context and Implications
The new ministerial decision aims to regulate the Intermediate Education Certificate exam process comprehensively. This regulation covers all stages, from initial registration procedures through to the correction of exam papers and the final announcement of results.