Romania school director competition sees 69% passing rate

The first stage of the 2026 competition for school director and deputy director positions in Romanian state pre-university institutions has concluded. On October 13, 2026, candidates nationwide participated in a standardized competency assessment test consisting of 20 items covering verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning.

According to the Ministry of Education, 6,684 candidates were present, resulting in a national passing rate of 69.05%. A total of 4,615 candidates achieved the minimum required score of 6 to proceed to the next stages. The test, developed by the National Center for Curriculum and Evaluation (CNCE), was designed to evaluate hypothetical school management scenarios.

Results varied significantly by region. In Botoșani, the passing rate was 72.1%, while in Mureș and Alba, it was lower, at approximately 65%. In contrast, counties like Cluj, Covasna, and Sălaj saw passing rates exceeding 80%.

The high failure rate has raised concerns regarding the availability of qualified leadership. With 2,069 candidates failing to meet the threshold, a significant gap remains between the number of successful applicants and the approximately 7,645 vacant leadership positions across the country. Interim Minister of Education Mihai Dimian encouraged those who did not pass to continue their preparation for future sessions. The next stages include a written exam on October 20, administrative evaluations of management plans, and interviews scheduled for November.