Italian 2026 Maturità Exams Attract Over 10,600 Students with New Snack Trends

In the Abruzzo region, 10,629 students will sit the 2026 state graduation exams, a rise of 172 from the previous year. The written Italian test starts on 18 June at 08:30, followed by subject‑specific written exams on 19 June and oral interviews thereafter. Pescara leads with 3,120 candidates, followed by Chieti (3,030), Teramo (2,243) and L’Aquila (2,236). Licei account for 6,264 candidates (about 59% of the total), technical institutes 3,066 (down 111) and professional institutes 1,156 (up 35). The regional education director stressed that the exam “represents a particularly significant moment in the lives of students.”

A survey by AstraRicerche for the Italian Food Union found that 75% of students have altered their snack habits while preparing for the exams. About 32% eat more, 25% take longer breaks and 58% alternate sweet and salty snacks. Sweet snacks are rated as beneficial for concentration by 78% of respondents, and 50% prefer packaged snack bars, followed by fresh fruit (38%) and yogurt (37%). Nutrition professor Silvia Migliaccio highlighted the role of balanced snacking in maintaining attention and energy during study sessions.