Romania school director competition continues with management exams

In Neamț County, Romania, 116 candidates are participating in a written examination for school director and deputy director positions on October 20. The exam focuses on management and school legislation, consisting of a 20-item standardized test to be completed within 60 minutes. The testing center is located at the “Calistrat Hogaș” National College. To pass, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 7, with each correct answer worth 0.5 points. The evaluation process includes automated grading via software to ensure objectivity.

This competition follows a previous competency test on October 13 that eliminated nearly one-third of the candidates. While Education Minister Mihai Dimian defended the objectivity of the exams, noting that failures often stem from poor time management, critics have questioned whether the tests effectively measure relevant managerial skills.

According to UNESCO data, Romania follows a centralized model similar to France and Italy, though it does not require proven managerial training prior to the competition. In contrast, countries like Sweden, Austria, Poland, and Spain require leadership training before appointment. The final administrative evaluations of managerial plans are scheduled for late 2026, with interviews to follow in November.