Adding substance to format : a critical perspective on the matriculation certificate examination

Abstract

Maltese external certification at secondary and post-secondary levels had relied almost entirely on examinations set by UK boards until the early 1990s. That is until it was decided to localise the examination system. The first concrete step in this direction was taken in 1989 with the setting up of the Matriculation and Secondary Certificate (MATSEC) Examinations Board under the umbrella of the University of Malta and with the participation of the Education Division and the Private Schools Association. Ventura and Murphy (1998) suggest that an important factor which contributed to the local indigenisation of examinations was the decision to improve the pre-university system. They (p. 48) speak of the Maltese desire "to replace the English GCE A-level system, which led to early narrow focusing on specific fields of study, with an International Baccalaureate-type system, without compromising the opportunity to achieve A-level standard in subjects required for further study." The resulting 18+ indigenous examination system became known as the Matriculation Certificate Examination. The Matriculation is a high-stakes external summative examination which serves a dual purpose: It provides Maltese students with access to university studies and offers them valid credentials on the job market. In this paper. apart from briefly describing the Examination's historical background, underlying philosophy and regulations, I explore some 'quality' aspects of the reform in order to tease out pertinent reflections and suggestions.