North Rhine-Westphalia Abitur grades decline during G8/G9 transition

The 2026 Abitur graduating class in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) recorded lower average grades and a significantly smaller cohort due to the transition from the eight-year (G8) to the nine-year (G9) gymnasium system.

The average grade for graduates from gymnasiums, comprehensive schools, continuing education colleges, and Waldorf schools was 2.56. This is a decline from the previous three years, where averages ranged between 2.37 and 2.39. Additionally, only 1.2 percent of students achieved the top grade of 1.0, compared to 3.38 percent in the previous year.

Because most gymnasiums in the state were in a transition phase, Abitur exams were only held at 95 designated 'bundelungsgymnasien' (grouping gymnasiums) for repeaters and students who changed school types. Consequently, the number of graduates dropped to approximately 27,000, down from roughly 72,000 the year prior.

Education Minister Dorothee Feller commended the students for their perseverance during this unique transition year. The number of graduates is expected to return to normal levels in the coming years, with an estimated 70,500 graduates expected when the first G9 cohort completes their studies in 2027.