School-leaving examination in physics at the end of upper secondary school in the Czech Republic - Current state

Abstract

The paper summarizes that the form and content of education in the Czech Republic is determined by the framework educational programmes (FEPs) and school educational programmes (SEPs). Analysis of these documents showed that the school-leaving examination (Maturita) in physics at the end of upper secondary education is not unified in any way on the national level. To map how the Maturita examination in physics looks like, the questionnaire survey was conducted. 366 gymnasiums and 32 schools with the study programme technical lyceum were proposed to participate in the survey. The return rate for the teacher questionnaire was approximately 28 %. The teacher questionnaire confirmed that the oral form of the Maturita examination in physics prevails in most schools and showed that the proportion of students choosing the Maturita examination in physics has been stable at around one-tenth of all school-leaving students with physics included in their curriculum. Students most often study for the exam on their own and as sources of information, use their own physics workbooks. As the easiest physics thematic area in terms of preparation for the exam is perceived mechanics, on the contrary, electricity and magnetism is considered to be the most difficult. The main reason to choose physics as one of the elective subjects in the Maturita exam appears to be students' interest and enjoyment in physics.