The students caught copying in one Baccalaureate exam will have to take not only the given exam, but also all the other tests as the grades obtained in them will be annulled. The Ministry of Education aims to introduce this new provision in the methodology for the 2014 Baccalaureate session, which was proposed for public debates, IPN reports.

Deputy Minister of Education Igor Grosu told a news conference that the commissions of the Baccalaureate centers will be extended so that they include more members and ensure a better activity. Another new provision refers to metal detectors. The students would be searched before, during and after the exams. If banned things are found, the candidates will be asked to leave the hall and their grades in all the Baccalaureate exams will be annulled. If it is determined that a candidate cheated after the diploma is issued, the Ministry of Education will annul the diploma by court.  

The candidates next year will have to get 30% of the highest score in order to pass an exam. This year, this figure was 25%. The students awarded in the international Olympiads recommended by the Ministry of Education will get a grade of 10 without taking the Baccalaureate exams.

Igor Grosu said some of the elements will be preserved next year, including the video monitoring. They are also considering installing systems for jamming mobile phone networks.

The Ministry of Education made public the report on the national exams of 2013 that was produced by the Quality Assurance Agency. The report shows that of the almost 28,000 candidates admitted to the exams, 1,133 were caught cheating. The exam passing rate was the lowest ever - 68.2%.

The methodology for the 2014 Baccalaureate session will be published in the final variant in mid-November.