The level of mathematics in 6th grade is the lowest in the history of basic skills.

BarcelonaThe regional minister for Education, Esther Niubó, had already warned that the results of this year's basic skills tests – now known as end-of-year assessments – would not be entirely good, and so it has been: the math level of 6th grade primary school students is the lowest in the history of the basic skills tests, which began to be held in 2010. This year, the average math grade of 6th grade students was a mere pass (70.4 points, when it is considered that to reach competence one must reach at least 70), the drop of almost four points compared to last year's results has meant that the math level of students who have finished school this year and are now starting. Similarly, in 6th grade, the level in science, technology and engineering is also very worrying, the only skill where the average has failed after falling from 74.3 points last year to 66.3 this year.

The (relative) good news regarding the academic level of students between the ages of twelve and thirteen is found in languages, but not in Catalan: there has been an improvement in English, going from 73.2 points last year to 75.7 this year, and also in Spanish, from an average of 73.9 points to 76.5. As for Catalan, the average is still passing despite having dropped almost one point compared to last year and standing at 73.5 points. However, this year the score in Catalan is slightly higher than in 2022 and 2023.

In ESO, three skills failed

The results of the 4th year ESO exams are not encouraging either: in three of the five skills assessed, the average grade is a fail, that is, below 70 points. This year, the minimum level is not reached, considering that students have achieved basic skills in English, mathematics, and science, technology, and engineering.

Focusing on mathematics, although there has been a significant rise of five points compared to last year, this year's average of 69.8 points means that, for the fifth consecutive year, 4th year ESO students have failed in this subject. The drop of almost five points (67.9) in science, technology, and engineering also means that the average for this skill is once again failing, a situation that has been repeating itself since 2017, but which was reversed last year, reaching 72.5 points.

Students completing compulsory secondary education this academic year (2024-2025) also fail to reach the minimum recommended level in English (69.1), which has dropped four points compared to last year. However, they do pass Spanish, although the score dropped 1.7 points since last year to an average of 74.2.

Hope in the results of the basic skills tests lies in the improvement in the level of Catalan language in the 4th year of compulsory secondary education. In just one year, the level has gone from just passing (70.7) to shooting up five points to 75.1. In fact, the level of Catalan proficiency among these students is the highest in the last four years.

Inequality in the classroom

Beyond the average scores across all subjects, the distribution of students by level also shows strong inequalities and certain dark spots. In both 6th grade of primary school and 4th year of compulsory secondary education, half of the students have a low or medium-low level in mathematics and science. In 4th grade, 44% of students fall into these two lower ranges, but at the same time, around 20% of students have a high level, highlighting the knowledge gap that can exist within a classroom. In 6th grade, the trend is repeated: 44% of Catalan students have a low or medium-low level in mathematics, and 18% reach a high level.

In languages, the proportion of students with a good level is higher, especially in Spanish and English, with 32% of 6th grade students achieving the top scores, while those with a low level do not reach 15%. Regarding Catalan, only 26% have a high level (4 points less than a year ago). In the fourth year of compulsory secondary education, on the other hand, there is no subject in which the proportion of students with a high level reaches 30%. In fact, it is worrying that in English, only 15% of students reach the maximum level. In contrast, 44% are at a low or lower-intermediate level.

Propose changes to the tests

This Friday's presentation of the test results was the first public event attended by the director of the new Agency for the Evaluation and Prospective Analysis of Education, Núria Planas. The director of what until now had been the Higher Council for Evaluations—the organization responsible for basic skills tests—has raised the possibility of modifying these exams for the next academic year. Planas asserted that, as the tests have been administered so far, it is not possible to compare the results "scientifically" year after year, as they do not share enough items. For all these reasons, she has expressed her willingness to work on a type of test more similar to PISA that would allow for more reliable comparisons between academic years. However, at this time, details have not been provided on how these changes would be implemented.

A new state test

Next year, the Catalan education system will administer new assessment tests to students. As verified by the ARA (Argentine National Association of Educational Researchers) and confirmed by the Department of Education, the Agency for the Evaluation and Prospective of Education—the body responsible for organizing, among other things, the basic skills tests—plans to implement "the General Assessment of the Sixth-Year Primary Education System" within its organization for the next academic year.

The test will be sample-based, meaning it will only be administered by some Catalan educational centers, although Educació has not yet specified how many schools and, therefore, how many students will take these exams. Nor has it yet specified the structure and content of the tests, which will be administered for the first time in the 2025-2026 academic year to comply with Article 143 of the Lomloe (Spanish Education Law). The article in question states that "this evaluation will be informative, formative, and guiding for schools and informative for families and the entire educational community," but it does not specify whether the results will be included in the student's academic record.