The two day Upper Secondary School Examination, or Baccalaureate, for the 2025 to 2026 academic year began across Cambodia at 244 examination centres, bringing together 151,238 Grade 12 candidates, including 84,735 female students. Held nationwide over two days, the examination is a major milestone for students seeking to complete secondary education and continue to university. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has also placed strong emphasis on fairness, discipline and transparency, with around 5,000 observers monitoring the process.
The scale of this year’s examination shows just how important the Baccalaureate remains for Cambodia’s young people and the country’s education system. Students are divided between science and social science streams, while authorities, observers and examination officials work together to ensure the process runs according to established rules.
More Than 150,000 Students Take Part
Of the 151,238 registered candidates, 37,445 are taking the science stream, including 22,193 females. Another 113,793 students, including 62,542 females, are sitting for the social science stream. The figures highlight the large number of young Cambodians reaching an important transition point in their education.
The examination is being conducted in 6,104 rooms across the 244 centres. For many students, the results will influence their next step, particularly those planning to enter university or pursue further professional education.
A National Effort to Protect Exam Integrity
The government has mobilised around 5,000 observers to help monitor the examination process. They include representatives from the Anti Corruption Unit, the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, local authorities and volunteers.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service Hun Many, Phnom Penh Governor Khuon Sreng and representatives of the Anti Corruption Unit attended the opening ceremony at Preah Sisowath High School in Phnom Penh.
The ministry has also reminded students that examination rules must be followed strictly. “Candidates are strictly prohibited from bringing any documents or electronic devices into the testing centres or rooms,” Hang Chuon Naron said. “Anyone found cheating automatically fails.”
The strong monitoring system sends a clear message that academic achievement should be earned through preparation and knowledge rather than dishonest practices.
What Students Are Being Tested On
The examination covers different subjects depending on the student’s chosen stream. On the first day, science students sit for history, biology, chemistry and a foreign language, while social science students take geology and environment, history, geography and a foreign language.
The second day focuses on another set of core subjects. Science students take Khmer literature, physics and mathematics, while social science students sit for mathematics, morality and civics, and Khmer literature.
The two day structure means students need more than subject knowledge. They also need concentration, time management and the ability to remain calm under pressure throughout the examination period.
The Results Will Take Several Weeks
Although the written examinations finish after two days, the assessment process continues afterward. Marking is scheduled to begin on Thursday, followed by computerised score processing and verification from August 20 to 30.
The results are scheduled to be printed on September 1 and officially announced nationwide on September 2. This process is designed to provide time for scores to be processed and verified before the final results are released.
Last Year’s Results Offer Some Perspective
The previous examination provides an indication of the scale of the challenge facing students. In the 2024 to 2025 academic year, 122,473 students passed the Grade 12 national examination, representing about 84.5 percent of the 144,848 candidates who sat the test.
Among those who passed, 3,003 students received Grade A, 9,901 received Grade B, 28,801 received Grade C, 45,859 received Grade D and 34,909 received Grade E.
These figures show that success does not necessarily mean achieving the highest grade. For many students, passing the Baccalaureate represents an important achievement that opens the door to university, vocational training or employment opportunities.
What Can You Learn From the 2026 National Examination?
The 2026 examination offers lessons that extend beyond the classroom. First, preparation matters. With more than 150,000 students sitting for the same national examination, consistent study and a clear understanding of the subjects remain essential.
Second, integrity matters. The ministry’s strict rules and large monitoring operation demonstrate that academic credentials depend not only on knowledge but also on honesty and responsibility. Cheating may appear to offer a shortcut, but the consequences can immediately undermine a student’s results and future opportunities.
The examination also highlights the importance of discipline and time management. Students must manage several subjects within a tightly organised two day schedule, while maintaining concentration under significant pressure. These are skills that remain valuable well beyond school and can help young people prepare for university, careers and professional life.
Finally, the examination reflects the importance of education in Cambodia’s future workforce. The more than 151,000 candidates are not simply sitting for a test. They represent a new generation preparing to enter higher education, the labour market and, eventually, leadership roles across Cambodia’s economy and society.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s 2026 national high school examination is more than a two day academic test. It is a major national education exercise involving 151,238 students, thousands of examination rooms and around 5,000 observers. For students, the biggest lessons are clear: prepare seriously, follow the rules, maintain integrity and stay focused under pressure. Those qualities can matter just as much as the final grade when students begin the next chapter of their lives.
Source: The story is based on information provided from Khmer Times and Xinhua, with examination details attributed to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.