Exetat

Overview

The Exetat (Examen d'État) is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national secondary school-leaving examination. It is organised by the ministry responsible for primary, secondary and technical education, working with the education authorities of each province, and it marks the end of secondary school ("humanités" in the Congolese system). Passing it earns the "diplôme d'État," the credential needed to enrol in a Congolese university or higher institute, and it is also widely required for many jobs and professional training programmes.

Who can apply

Candidates are students completing their final year of secondary school (6th year of humanités, typically around age 18), in both public and private schools. Most students take the exam in the track ("option") they followed through secondary school, which can be general/pedagogical, scientific, literary, commercial, or one of many technical and vocational options (for example mechanics, electricity, construction, secretarial studies, nursing-related or hotel-and-catering options). A separate, shorter professional cycle also sits for its own Exetat papers. Candidates register through their school, which enrols them with the provincial education authority; the exam is not normally something a student can simply sign up for individually, so anyone outside the usual school pathway should check directly with the ministry for the current procedure.

Exam pattern

Exetat candidates sit two groups of written tests, in the dates set each year by the ministry:

Test centres are grouped into local administrative units called "pools," each overseen by a principal inspector who records attendance and reports it up to the provincial inspection. The exact subjects and papers a candidate sits depend on their option, since the general, scientific, commercial and technical/vocational tracks are each examined on their own subject content.

Marking and results

Exetat papers are marked on a points system, and a candidate traditionally needs around 50% of the total points to pass. Results are published province by province rather than all at once nationally, so the full national picture can take time to come out; pass rates are reported by province rather than as a single national figure each year.

Important dates

For the 2026 cycle, the preliminary ("hors session") papers began on 4 May 2026 with the general composition, technical-option papers followed on 5 May, oral French tests ran 6–9 May, and practical/professional tests ran 11–18 May. The ordinary session of written papers was held 22–25 June 2026, nationwide. Dates are set by the ministry each year and should be confirmed for the current cycle through the candidate's school.

Fees

Participation fees are set province by province rather than as one national amount, and they are paid in Congolese francs (FC). For the 2025–2026 cycle, reported fees ranged roughly from 30,000 to 160,000 FC depending on the province, split between the preliminary papers and the ordinary session (for example, Kinshasa candidates paid 80,000 FC for the preliminary papers and 60,000 FC for the ordinary session). Candidates should confirm the exact fee set for their own province and cycle with their school.

After the exam

Once results for all provinces are published, successful candidates can usually get a provisional "attestation de réussite" (certificate of success) within about a day, through mobile operator menus or official e-diploma platforms. The definitive "diplôme d'État" is issued later and is collected through the candidate's school or the provincial inspection once it has been prepared. The diplôme d'État is the document universities and higher institutes require for admission, and it is also used as a qualification for many jobs and further professional training.

Preparation tips

• Confirm your option's exact papers and dates with your school early, since Exetat content and the papers you sit depend on your track (general, scientific, commercial, technical or professional).

• Practise past Exetat papers for your own option, since each track is examined on different subject content.

• Build strong French composition skills, since the general dissertation/composition is a major component for most candidates regardless of track.

• Make sure your school has completed your registration and fee payment well before the preliminary papers, since registration runs through the school rather than individually.