Application and admission to high schools after 7th grade in Bulgaria

2. Exams

You can learn more about the National External Examination (NVO) in Mathematics at this link .

3. Checking and evaluating the exam papers:

• Examination papers are checked by a committee appointed by the head of the RUO.
• The assessors are pre-trained teachers in the relevant subject.
• Each written work is assessed by two assessors independently of each other.
• The assessment is carried out according to established criteria.

The electronic assessment system:

• The system records each rater’s score for the open-response and free-response tasks.
• The work is considered to be finally evaluated if the difference in the points of the two evaluators does not exceed the permissible one.
• In case of a larger difference, the work is reviewed by the chairman/deputy chairman of RKPOIR.
• The system returns the work to the raters for correction.
• Endpoints are recorded in the system.

Forming the grades:

• The application assessment is a sum of the points from the first and second parts.
• If the student has not worked on the second part or does not have correct solutions, his grade is formed only from the first part.
• For those who do not appear at the HEI in a given subject, the result is taken as zero points.

Check Results:

• The results of the NVOs in BEL and mathematics are released at the same time.
• Grades can be checked online:
  • on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture: https://infopriem.mon.bg/

Required data for verification:

• ID number of the seventh grader
• Incoming ID number from the memo

Important deadlines: see the deadlines for the current year on section news.

Acquaintance with the checked exam papers from the HEI:

• The individual results of the NVOs are announced in an electronic system on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
• The system is accessed simultaneously with a login number and a unique individual identification code.

Familiarization procedure:

• Acquaintance with the graded individual work of the student can take place at a time and place determined by order of the head of the RUO.
• The student and his parent (guardian) are present at the introduction.
• A member of RKPOIR provides access to the system.
• Access is restricted:
  • The student and parent (guardian) see the scanned and graded exam paper with points awarded for each answer.
  • Paper exam work is not considered.
  • The scanned image may not be copied, saved, printed or taken out of the hall.
  • Consideration of other exam papers is not allowed.

The exam scores/results cannot be changed.

4. Formation of the graduation ball after the 7th grade

For most classes:

The ranking ball is formed by:

1. Points from the NVO in BEL and mathematics:
   • The results of the first and second part of the exam are included.
   • If the student has not worked on the second part or does not have correct solutions, his grade is formed only from the first part.
   • For those who do not appear at the HEI in a given subject, the result is taken as zero points.
2. Grades from the Certificate of Basic Education (CET) in two subjects:
   • The subjects are determined by the pedagogical council of the school.
   • Ratings are converted to scale points:
     • Excellent (6) – 50 points
     • Very good (5) – 39 points
     • Good (4) – 26 points
     • Medium (3) – 15 points
3. Doubling or tripling an HSE result:
   • The Pedagogical Council of the school chooses one of the following options:
     • Doubling of BEL and mathematics from HEIs
     • Doubling of BEL or mathematics from HE + once the other subject
     • Triple BEL or mathematics from HE + once the other subject
     • Doubling of BEL or mathematics from HE + once the other subject + once an additional subject
4. Inclusion of results from additional subjects:
   • Instead of doubling/tripling BEL/Maths, results from additional subjects may be included:
     • Two additional items (once each)
     • One additional subject For Fine Art, Music and Physical Education and Sport classes:

• Instead of the above components, the ball is formed by:
  • Points from the NVO in BEL and mathematics
  • Aptitude test scores (for profiled high schools)

About NPMG “Acad. Lubomir Chakalov’:

• Points from regional rounds of olympiads in:
  • Physics
  • biology and health education
  • Chemistry and environmental protection
  • Geography and Economics
• Condition: the points are over 60% of the maximum number of points for the relevant Olympiad.

Important:

• The exact prom pattern may vary by school and profile.
• For detailed information, check the website of the desired school or contact its administration.

How are students with the same score ranked after the 7th grade?

When there are students with the same score in the ranking and their number exceeds the number of free places, they are ranked in descending order according to the following criteria:

1. Compilation of the results of the National External Evaluation (NVO) in Bulgarian language and literature and mathematics. The student with the highest total gets priority.
2. Compilation of the evaluations of the qualifying subjects: Evaluations of the qualifying subjects of the 7th grade ( Bulgarian language and literature, foreign language, mathematics, history and civilization, geography and economics, biology and health education, physics and astronomy, chemistry and environmental protection ) are converted to scale points. The points obtained are added up and the student with the highest total gets an advantage.
3. Arithmetic average grade of all subjects: The arithmetic average grade of all subjects studied in the 7th grade (including fine arts, music and physical education and sports) is calculated. The student with the highest grade point average is given preference.

Important:

• Students with the same indicators according to all the above criteria are accepted above the approved state admission plan and above the legally established maximum number of students in a class.
• All necessary information about grades, including from Olympiads and competitions, will be taken into account before scoring and ranking.
• It is possible that the information about the grades is not visible at the time of filling out the application for participation in the first stage of ranking due to its gradual transfer. This is not an obstacle to submitting an application.
• The maximum score for each class is 500 points, of which 400 points from the exams or Olympiad/competition and 100 points from the qualifying subjects.

Application for participation in ranking after 7th grade and necessary documents

• Students can apply for an unlimited number of classes in different schools as well as in different fields
• Submission of an application for the first and third stages of ranking is done electronically only .
• It is recommended to fill out the application on paper in advance .

Important deadlines: see the deadlines for the current year on section news.

Necessary documents:

• Application form with arranged wishes (valid for the first and second stages of ranking).
• Scanned medical certificate from the personal physician (only when applying for professional specialties or “Physical education and sports” profile). The original is presented at registration.

Order of Desires:

• Ordering the wishes is a key point!
• The order of wishes remains unchanged for the first and second stages of ranking.
• Estimate your chances based on your score and admission statistics.
• Match your desires with your capabilities.
• Complete enough wishes to ensure you’ll be accepted into one of them.
• Each class is a separate wish! Sort classes by your priority, not just schools.
• Keep a copy of the application with the wishes in order.

Grading principle after 7th grade:

What is quota ranking?

In some Bulgarian schools, admission after the 7th grade takes place with quotas for boys and girls.

First ranking:

The first classification is the first stage of admission after the 7th grade, in which the places in the high schools are allocated. For many students, this is also the last stage, as they are satisfied with the result and do not want to risk losing it in the next rankings.

How is the first ranking done?

1. The system analyzes the applicants:
   • Students’ wishes are considered, ranked by priority.
   • Their scores are compared with the minimum scores for admission to the schools of their choice.
2. Seat allocation:
   • Each student is placed in the first school on their list that has an available place corresponding to their grade.
3. Enrollment and opt-out:
   • Accepted on first request:
     • They must submit documents to the accepted school within a certain period.
     • They can refuse their place if they do not wish to study at this school.
   • Accepted by the second, third, etc. wish:
     • They have two options:
       • To enroll in the school in which they have been accepted.
       • To give up their place and declare participation in the second classification.

Important:

• The enrollment and opt-out period is essential. Don’t miss it!
• Failure to enroll in the accepted school of first choice does not guarantee participation in a second ranking.
• A second ranking is held only if there are free places .

Second ranking:

The second ranking is the next stage of admission after the 7th grade, which takes place after the first ranking places are released.

Why is there a second ranking?

• Freeing up places: After the first ranking, many students are accepted to other schools (NUKK, NGDEK, American College), freeing up places in high schools.
• Second chance: The second ranking gives students who were rejected on their first choice the opportunity to fight for a place in a more preferred school.

How is the second ranking conducted?

1. Automatic ranking:
   • The system automatically redistributes the students who were not accepted according to their first preference to their higher preferences, where there are free places .
   • Important: Students may not reorder their wishes for a second placement.
2. Recording:
   • Second-ranked students must enroll in their new school within a certain period.
   • Refusal: It is also possible to refuse the place obtained in the second ranking.

Important:

• Students accepted on first preference technically retain their place even if they apply for a second placement.
• Participation in a second ranking does not guarantee a transfer to a more desirable school.
• Enrollment deadline is essential. Don’t miss it!
• Failure to enroll in the new school after the second ranking does not guarantee participation in subsequent rankings.
• After the second classification, it is possible to hold a third and fourth classification only if there are free places.

Third ranking: 

It is important to note that:

• The third ranking is risky , as places are limited and competition is high.
• You can only apply for the vacancies announced after the second ranking.
• The place in which you were accepted in the second ranking is not saved .
• The BAL score is crucial.

If you do decide to participate:

1. Check the advertised vacancies:
   • RUO announces the vacancies
2. Apply for participation by the deadline:
   • The application is submitted to the school in which you wish to qualify.
   • The required documents are the same as for first ranking.
3. Complete the application:
   • Sort your wishes in descending order of preference .
   • Apply only for the announced vacancies .
4. Expect the results:
   • The results of the third ranking
   • Accepted students are enrolled
5. Follow the information:
   • Additional vacancies may be announced after third ranking.
   • Information about vacancies is available in the RUO and in the schools.

Fourth ranking:

• Announcement of vacancies for fourth ranking
• Submission of an application for participation in the fourth ranking
• Fourth place results
• Enrollment or refusal of admission

Remaining seats:

• Announcement of vacancies after fourth ranking:
• Filling vacancies after fourth ranking:   The schedule is determined by the school principal.