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How to apply for admission to a secondary school in Slovakia?

Education and sport

This section contains information on requirements for applying, deadlines for applying for admission to a secondary school, dates for holding the entrance examination, requirements for admission to secondary schools, including information on the required evidence on the level of educational attainment.

The system of Slovak secondary schools consists of grammar schools, secondary vocational schools, conservatories, secondary art schools and secondary sports schools. The decision-making process in selecting a suitable secondary school involves considering the applicants’ study prerequisites, areas in which they have excelled thus far, their ideas about the future, preconditions for finding employment, and in some cases, also references from acquaintances.

  1. What should citizens expect
  2. Who should citizens contact when they need assistance or advice?
  3. What are the most frequently asked questions regarding this situation in life?
  4. Sanctions for non-compliance with obligations

1. What should citizens expect

A Union citizen needs:

  • an application (only in Slovak);
  • evidence of education;
  • diplomas from attended competitions.

If students attend a school abroad, their lower secondary education in the Slovak Republic may be recognised under § 36 par. 2 of Act No 422/2015 on the recognition of evidence of education and on the recognition of professional qualifications, and amending certain acts (the ‘Act on Recognition of Evidence of Education’). The recognition of evidence of education, which is a school report with the relevant supplement, issued by a primary school in another Member State or in a third country for the purpose of continuing studies, is subject to a decision of the District Office in the seat of the region based on comparing the learning content and scope with the state educational program required in the Slovak Republic.

The director of the primary school decides on the recognition of evidence of education, i.e. the school report for the 1st to 8th grade of primary school, issued by a primary school in another Member State or in a third country.

When to apply?

  • secondary school with talent assessment – by 20 February
  • secondary school without talent assessment – by 10 April

How many schools can applicants apply for?

Based on the Act on Education, applicants are allowed to apply for two secondary schools, or two different study fields at the same secondary school. In justified cases, applicants may submit two more applications for study in the fields of education that require verification of special abilities, skills or talents, and another application.

Dates of entrance exams:

  • talent assessment – from 15 March to 30 April;
  • first round – Monday and Thursday in the second complete week of May;
  • second round – Tuesday in the third complete week of June.

Admission criteria

A student already studying at a different secondary school may not be admitted. In order to be admitted to a secondary school, a student should have successfully completed primary school education and passed the entrance examination.

Application

The applicant should complete the specified application form. Applicants attending a primary school submit applications to the primary school, applicants not attending a primary school submit the application directly to the secondary school.

The application should include:

  • the pupil’s personal information;
  • contract details of legal representatives;
  • a health fitness document;
  • results achieved at primary school;
  • competition outcomes;
  • details of the secondary school where the pupil is applying for admission.

Results of the entrance examination

Secondary schools publish the results on their notice boards no later than 3 working days from the date of the entrance examination. Applicants who have not been admitted to a secondary school in the first round can apply to a secondary school that holds a second round.

2. Who should citizens contact when they need assistance or advice?

For more detailed information on the procedure for applying for admission to a secondary school, as well as on the study itself, contact:

3. What are the most frequently asked questions regarding this situation in life?

Who may submit an application to a secondary school?

Pupils of the following grades may submit applications to a secondary school:

  • 5th grade;
  • 8th grade;
  • 9th grade;
  • adults.

4. Sanctions for non-compliance with obligations

Applicants may not be admitted to a secondary school if they:

  • fail to provide the required documents on previous education;
  • fail to apply within the set deadline;
  • fail to submit the specified application form.

Last modified: 25. 2. 2021
Publication date: 14. 10. 2020

The responsible person:

Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic
+421 2/59374111
info@minedu.sk

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