Overview
The Esame di Stato (commonly called the Maturità) is Italy's final examination at the end of upper secondary school (scuola secondaria di secondo grado). It is set nationally by the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito and taken by students finishing their fifth and final year at a liceo, istituto tecnico or istituto professionale. Passing it awards the secondary-school diploma, which is required to enrol in an Italian university or higher-technical course.
Note
The official pages of the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito could not be fetched directly from this environment, so the facts below are corroborated from reputable secondary reports on the 2026 exam cycle. Please confirm current details on istruzione.it before relying on them.
Who can apply
Students (called maturandi) sit the Esame di Stato in the final year of a five-year upper-secondary programme. For 2026, admission to the exam requires: attendance of at least three-quarters of the year's scheduled teaching hours (exceptions are granted only for documented circumstances); a conduct grade (voto di condotta) of at least 6 out of 10, since a grade below 6 blocks admission outright; a grade of at least 6 out of 10 in every subject; participation in the INVALSI standardised tests held during the final year; and completion of the school-work transition pathways (PCTO) set for the student's course of study. A student admitted with a conduct grade of exactly 6 is also assigned a written essay on active, responsible citizenship to discuss at the oral exam.
Exam pattern
From the 2025/2026 cycle, the exam has two national written papers and an oral exam (colloquio), on top of the school-based credito scolastico built up over the final three years.
| Component | What it covers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Prima prova (first written paper) | Italian language and literature, common to every track; students choose from several text types/topics | Up to 20 |
| Seconda prova (second written paper) | One or more subjects characteristic of the student's own track (liceo, istituto tecnico or istituto professionale) | Up to 20 |
| Colloquio (oral exam) | Covers four subjects: two are the same subjects as the written papers, and two more are set nationally for each track and option | Up to 20 |
| Credito scolastico (school credit) | Grades from the third, fourth and fifth years of upper secondary school | Up to 40 (12 + 13 + 15) |
The two written papers are sat on separate days in June, nationwide, on dates set by the Ministry. The oral exam follows over the days and weeks after, scheduled by each school's own examining commission.
Marking and results
The final mark is out of 100: up to 40 points from school credit and up to 60 from the three exam components (20 each for the first written paper, the second written paper and the oral exam). A candidate needs to sit every scheduled component and reach at least 60 out of 100 overall to pass.
A candidate admitted with at least 30 school-credit points and who scores at least 50 points across the three exam components can also be awarded up to 5 extra bonus points by the examining commission to reach a higher total. A final mark of 100 with lode (cum laude, an honours distinction) can only be awarded without using these bonus points, and requires a unanimous vote from the commission. Students who score 100 (with or without lode) and are under 20 in their diploma year can apply for the Carta del Merito, a one-off 500-euro bonus; a result of 100 e lode also qualifies a student for listing in the Ministry's National Register of Excellence (Albo Nazionale delle Eccellenze).
Important dates
For the 2026 cycle, the Ministry set the Prima prova (Italian) for 18 June 2026 and the Seconda prova for 19 June 2026, both held on the same days nationwide. Oral exams are scheduled by each school's commission in the days and weeks that follow. Admission decisions (scrutini) by each school's class council take place shortly before the written papers begin, once the year's attendance, conduct and subject-grade requirements are confirmed. Exact scrutinio and oral-exam dates vary by school and are published by each institution.
After the exam
Passing the Esame di Stato awards the diploma di scuola secondaria di secondo grado, which is the entry qualification for Italian university degree programmes and higher technical institutes (ITS). Most Italian degree courses have open admission for diploma holders, though some (for example medicine and other programmes with a capped number of places) require passing a separate national or university entrance test regardless of the Maturità score. A high final mark can still matter beyond simple eligibility: some universities grant partial or full first-year tuition exemptions to top scorers, and a 100 e lode result brings entry into the Ministry's National Register of Excellence.
Preparation tips
Confirm your own track's Seconda prova subject(s) and the two nationally-set oral subjects early: both vary by liceo/istituto and by option, so the combination differs from one school to another.
Keep attendance, conduct and subject grades on track through the year: falling short on any one of the attendance, conduct-grade or subject-grade admission requirements blocks admission to the exam itself, regardless of exam preparation.
Work through the Ministry's released Prima prova and Seconda prova materials from past years for your track, since question formats and paper structure tend to repeat.
If aiming for a top result, check the specific conditions for the lode and for the Carta del Merito bonus early, since using the commission's bonus points rules out the lode distinction.
FAQs
What is the Esame di Stato (Maturità)?
It is Italy's national final examination at the end of upper secondary school, set by the Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito. Passing it awards the secondary-school diploma needed to enrol in Italian higher education.
How is the final Maturità score calculated?
The score is out of 100: up to 40 points come from school credit built up over the final three years, and up to 60 from the exam itself (20 each for the first written paper, the second written paper and the oral exam). At least 60 out of 100 overall is needed to pass.
Can a low conduct grade stop a student from sitting the exam?
Yes. A conduct grade below 6 out of 10 means the student is not admitted to the exam, regardless of their grades in other subjects. A conduct grade of exactly 6 still admits the student, but adds a written assignment on active citizenship to be discussed at the oral exam.
Does a high Maturità score guarantee a university place?
Not directly for every course. Most Italian degree programmes have open admission for diploma holders, but some, including medicine and other capped-place courses, require passing a separate national or university entrance test regardless of the Maturità result. A very high score (100, or 100 e lode) can still bring other benefits, such as tuition exemptions at some universities or a one-off Carta del Merito payment.