Portuguese student movement demands end to national exams

The Voz aos Estudantes movement has collected approximately 5,000 signatures to demand the abolition of national exams in Portugal. The group argues that these examinations perpetuate social inequalities by favoring students who can afford private tutoring and better preparation.

According to João Baldaia, a leader of the movement, the exams fail to guarantee equal opportunities for access to higher education. Data analyzed from the Ministry of Education shows that in the top 50 rankings of school results, only four public schools are represented, with the first appearing at 38th place.

Furthermore, 2025 exam results indicate that more than 80 percent of top marks were awarded to students without School Social Support (ASE). The movement contends that the current system penalizes students from lower-income households and disadvantaged areas, summarizing three years of work into a single three-hour assessment.