The Ministry of Education has announced that students in grades 8 and 9 will sit for the O-Level examinations in 2025, introducing changes to the secondary school leaving examination schedule in response to the revised academic calendar.

In a circular signed by Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu and sent to all schools, it was stated that the O-Level examinations for Grade 10 students will proceed as usual in May/June this year. However, Grade 9 students will sit for their O-Level examinations in February/March 2025, while Grade 8 students will take theirs in October/November 2025.

The Ministry further clarified that, starting from the next academic year, final examinations will consistently be held in October/November, establishing this timeline as the standard moving forward.

The academic year traditionally spanned from January to November or December. However, this schedule was disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.