Overview
Dhivehi is the national language of the Maldives. This page covers Dhivehi as an examined subject, because the official sources used here describe it as a paper in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations run by the Department of Public Examinations (DPE). They do not describe a separate Dhivehi proficiency test.
Who can apply
The SSC examinations are for students who complete Grade 10 under the National Curriculum framework. The DPE describes them as the national examination for students finishing the secondary syllabus, Key Stage 4 (Grades 9 and 10). They are held in addition to the IGCSE and GCE O Level examinations.
Exam pattern
The SSC covers four subjects: Islam, Dhivehi language, Arabic language and Qur'an. The DPE past-paper archive lists the SSC Dhivehi examination as two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each with a published marking scheme.
Marking and results
The DPE prepares the question papers, marks the scripts, and produces and issues the results.
Important dates
The DPE holds the SSC examinations in October or November each year. Check the DPE site for the timetable of each year's session.
Preparation tips
Download the SSC Dhivehi Paper 1 and Paper 2 from the DPE past-papers page and work through several years.
Use the marking schemes published next to each paper to check how answers are marked.
Practise both papers under timed conditions.
Who runs the examination?
The Department of Public Examinations of the Maldives sets and marks it and issues the results.