Jordan Scraps Comprehensive Exam for Diploma Students to Boost Technical Education

Alanbatnews -

Jordan has eliminated the comprehensive exam for intermediate diploma students, a move designed to streamline higher education and bolster technical and vocational training, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.

The decision aims to incentivize students to pursue technical and applied specializations within intermediate diploma programs, explained Muhannad Al-Khatib, Director of the Unified Admission Coordination Unit at the Ministry of Higher Education.

Al-Khatib emphasized that the original purpose of the comprehensive exam, ensuring students' readiness for bachelor's programs, is now effectively addressed by the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority. This authority ensures that all higher education institutions, including community colleges and intermediate diploma graduates, meet accreditation standards and quality benchmarks.

The ministry believes the comprehensive exam had become redundant due to continuous academic assessments throughout students' diploma studies, including monthly, semester, and final exams, as well as graduation projects.

Furthermore, Jordan is actively expanding its technical and vocational education sectors, encouraging universities to establish technical colleges and diploma programs. Al-Khatib noted that it would be inappropriate for one public university to administer exams to students from another, as this contradicts Jordanian university laws and higher education regulations.

To evaluate students fairly, the ministry has introduced alternative assessment methods. Admission to parallel programs in public universities or private universities will be based on the cumulative grade point average (GPA) earned during the diploma program, or the previous comprehensive exam score if the student passed it, whichever benefits the student most. For regular programs, students will take an entrance exam administered by the Unified Admission Coordination Unit, designed to differentiate students and ensure academic fairness without inflating grades, Al-Khatib stated.

This decision applies to both current and former students who have previously taken the comprehensive exam, regardless of their results. Each college will allocate 5% of its top-performing students to compete for bridging program seats, instead of the previous nationwide ranking, providing greater opportunities for outstanding students.

The entrance exam will assess the general knowledge and skills of diploma graduates while maintaining educational quality and equal opportunities.

Regarding bridging criteria, the minimum GPA for general specializations is 68%, while engineering and veterinary medicine require 70%. Students who do not meet these GPA requirements will only be affected for the upcoming comprehensive exam cycle. The council will continue to monitor all cases to ensure the decision's inclusivity and address any potentially affected groups, Al-Khatib added.

The Higher Education Council officially canceled the comprehensive exam, previously administered by Al-Balqa Applied University, for all diploma students completing their degree requirements, effective February 16, 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.