National Examination in Romania between 2017 and 2023 – A Microdata Analysis

The National Examination in Romania holds significant importance for students, determining high school admissions and shaping future opportunities. Analysing 2023 results, it was found that despite passing grades, many students faced admission challenges, especially rural students. Disparities persist between rural and urban students, intensified by factors such as absenteeism and limited access to educational resources. The digitalisation of the 2024 National Examination reflects a changing educational landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This paper highlights the interaction of sex, residency, and online teaching experience on National Examination results from 2017 to 2023, using microdata retrieved from data.gov.ro. Rural students and those who did not experience online teaching generally obtained lower scores compared to urban students and those who had online teaching exposure. The correlation between performance in the National Evaluation Exam and school dropout rates underscores the critical importance of education in societal inequalities. It is crucial to keep investigating ways to reduce educational gaps and make education more inclusive in Romania. While this study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations. However, limitations, such as variations in examination difficulty and disruptions due to external factors like teacher strikes, should be considered in interpreting the findings. Future research should continue to explore strategies for mitigating these disparities and promoting educational equality in Romania.