The Government of the Azores has determined that the Portuguese and Math Final Exams for the 9th form will remain in force, while the Assessment Exams for 2nd, 5th and 8th forms will not be held.

 According to the decision of the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture, there will be an internal assessment exam in the subjects of Portuguese and Math for the 4th and 6th forms.

 This decision takes into consideration the fact that the students who are now in the 4th and 6th forms had been prepared for a path that requires a final assessment at the end of these school levels. It falls under the principles defended by ProSucesso, namely the rigour and quality of learning, and a rigorous internal assessment that should be coordinated among teachers of the same subject.

 The final exam will be prepared by each school and all 4th and 6th form students are require to take this exam. It will be held in the 3rd term at a date to be set by the school.

 The exam marks will be taken into consideration in the student's internal summative assessment, with a weight between 20 to 30%, to be decided by the Educational Council.

 The decision of the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture was taken following the notification of the Ministry of Education regarding the Integrated External Assessment of Basic Education Learning. It aims to ensure the necessary stability and transparency that should guide the summative assessment process of students so that, from the beginning, all those involved - students and their families, teachers and school leaders - may know the rules in force with regard to this matter.

 From the school year 2016/2017, the planned amendments will be introduced to the regional education system, namely to the Integrated External Assessment of Basic Education Learning: Assessment Exams for the 2nd, 5th and 8th forms and the Final Exam for the 9th form.