A few key facts about the National Pupils’ Achievement Test:
The test is taken in the 4th and 8th grades.
The results do not affect your school marks and are not used to decide whether you can move on to the next grade at the start of the new school year.
Information prepared by the Lithuanian School Students’ Union.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is the National Pupils’ Achievement Test conducted?
National pupils’ achievement tests for 4th‑grade pupils have been organised every year since 2012.
The test is meant to:
give you, your parents, and your teachers clear feedback about your knowledge and skills
help you improve your results and get extra support if you have gaps in your learning
provide teachers, schools, and municipalities with objective information about how pupils are doing overall
What tests are conducted?
In the NMPP:
4th‑grade pupils take two tests: reading and mathematics
8th‑grade pupils take tests in Lithuanian language and literature (reading) and mathematics
4th‑ and 8th‑grade pupils whose native language is Polish, Russian, or Belarusian also take a reading test in their native language
All tasks are based on what is actually taught in school and check what you have really learned.
How is the assessment conducted?
You complete the tasks electronically in your school. Each pupil works at a computer and can use pens/pencils and paper for rough work.
Time limits:
4th grade – 60 minutes
8th grade – 90 minutes
To help you get used to the test environment and understand the structure, length, and requirements of the test, the National Agency for Education (NAE) publishes sample tasks in the BETA electronic testing system and updates them regularly.
How is the test assessed?
All NMPP tasks are marked automatically. When you finish, the system shows your provisional score in points in the task window.
Your final result is given as:
the total number of points
an achievement level
There are four achievement levels: advanced, basic, satisfactory, and threshold.
When are the results published? How are parents informed?
Right after you finish the NMPP, you see an overview of your performance in the task window. Your achievement level is shown in a detailed report about your results.
By the end of the school year, your school and municipality receive different reports with all the results. Schools are encouraged to use them to improve teaching and to plan pupils’ individual progress. Your results are also uploaded to the Student Register, so if you change schools, your new school can see them. Your school informs your parents about your results.
When and where can I see the test questions?
Tasks from previous NMPP tests are published in the BETA electronic testing system (the National Agency for Education’s online testing platform).
Are the tasks adapted for pupils with special educational needs?
If you have identified special educational needs and recommendations from Pedagogical‑Psychological Services, the time for completing the tasks can be extended by up to 50% of the usual time. An assistant can also be present if they normally support you in lessons.
During the NMPP, pupils with special educational needs can use multiplication tables, measurement charts, rule cards, memory aids, and other support tools they are allowed to use in everyday learning.
What happens if a pupil does not reach the satisfactory level?
If you do not reach the satisfactory achievement level in the NMPP, an individual plan to improve your learning outcomes is prepared for you in the 5th grade (the year after the 4th‑grade test). You get at least 20 extra consultations, in small groups of up to five pupils.
The same procedure applies if you do not reach the satisfactory level in the 8th grade.
Can a pupil take the test again?
No. The NMPP is taken only once; retakes are not organised.
Are the NMPP tests mandatory?
All pupils in the primary education programme must take the 4th‑grade NMPP tests, unless they are officially exempted. If you miss the test without a valid reason, you will not receive the Certificate of Primary Education.
Pupils in the basic education programme must take the 8th‑grade NMPP tests, unless they are officially exempted from participation.