Examen artium

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Examen artium is the name of the academic certification conferred in Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university programs. It was formally discontinued after the 1981 class, but is sometimes used colloquially to describe the final examinations of Norwegian secondary schools.

Typically after their ninth and final year of compulsory primary school education, students applied for admission to a three-year programs of studies, called "lines" at schools called gymnas within their counties. The curricula for the lines included a core of general studies topics, including Norwegian, mathematics, history, English, physical education, and one natural science subject.

The curricula of the individual lines emphasized particular subjects. Examples include:

• Latin, with an emphasis on classical languages and works
• Realfag, with an emphasis on mathematics and physics
• English, with an emphasis on English and French language and literature
• Natural sciences, with an emphasis on mathematics, biology, and chemistry

Students's final grades were based on the grading of their classroom work and the grades achieved at standardized examinations. Such examinations were either written for core and emphasized subjects, or oral for all subjects. Written examinations were mandatory for bokmål, nynorsk, and English final essay, and at least two other subjects. Oral examinations were given by drawing lot.

In principle, examen artium gave students eligibility to matriculate in Norwegian and foreign universities. However, some programs would limit eligibility to certain lines as well as academic performance within these lines. For example, Norwegian medical and engineering programs would only consider applications from realfag and natural sciences.