BULGARIAN STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN PREPARING FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MATURITY EXAM

Abstract

The article looks into issues related to the maturity exam in English on the basis of a survey conducted with Bulgarian students who intended to sit the exam. The scope of investigation includes students’ reasons for choosing the exam, their preparation, and the difficulties they experience in the language areas and skills it covers. The results helped to identify aspects of the exam, which make it students’ preferred choice for a second obligatory school-leaving test. Respondents’ self-evaluation in the skill and knowledge areas resulted in a comprehensive picture of test-takers’ strengths and difficulties, and identified issues, which have to be taken into consideration by teachers and officials responsible for preparing the exam and evaluating its quality.

Keywords

• maturity exam in english
• bulgarian students
• perceptions
• challenges
• language areas and skills