Italian students face stress and remedial exams during school return

As the summer break ends, millions of Italian students are facing the return to school and the period of remedial assessments, often referred to as ‘repair exams’. This transition is frequently accompanied by significant stress and anxiety. Research, including a MINDex 2026 study, highlights concerns regarding student mental wellbeing, with many feeling that schools lack sufficient focus on emotional and affective education.

Regarding the academic process, students who failed to meet requirements in June undergo a period of recovery. Under current regulations, such as DPR 135/2025, the class council suspends the final judgment rather than issuing an immediate failure. The student must demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills by the end of the school year or before the start of the next. The final decision on promotion or repetition of the year is not determined by a single test but by the class council, which reviews the student's entire academic progress during an integrated scrutiny session.