Austrian High Schools Achieve Record Matura Pass Rates in 2025

Pandemic Reforms and Lasting Changes

The record performance follows permanent changes to exam rules introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Austria reduced written tests, extended deadlines, and began factoring annual grades into Matura scores—a measure later made permanent.

"Durch die Einrechnung der Jahres- in die Maturanote können Schüler mit mindestens einem Befriedigend in der Abschlussklasse seit 2020 bei der schriftlichen Matura nur noch durchfallen, wenn sie weniger als 30 Prozent der möglichen Punkte schaffen," one policy document states.

These adjustments initially pushed pass rates above 94% in 2020–2022. Though some emergency measures expired, the inclusion of annual grades kept results well above pre-pandemic levels (85% in 2019). Combined AHS/BHS rates have since stabilized at 89% (2023), 90% (2024), and 92% (2025).

Flexible Exam Options Boost Completion

Since 2020, students have also benefited from alternative assessment formats. Instead of traditional theses, they may submit research, design, or artistic projects as "Abschließende Arbeit" (final work).

"Stattdessen kann seitdem auch das Ergebnis eines forschenden, gestalterischen oder künstlerischen Prozesses als 'Abschließende Arbeit' abgegeben werden," officials noted.

This flexibility reduced incomplete exams—often caused by late submissions—from 3–5% to just 1% at AHS. Vocational schools, which still require mandatory theses, saw incomplete rates hold steady at 2%.

Additionally, until 2028/29, students may opt for extra oral or written exams instead of projects. In 2025, 54% of AHS graduates chose this route, suggesting continued preference for conventional testing.