Prior to the introduction of the esame di Stato in the summer of 1999, the upper secondary school leaving examination was the maturità . This was taken in July and comprised two written tests and one oral test. In the first written test, which was a general essay, students had to answer one of four questions, which were intended to discover their expressive and critical abilities. The second written test related to the content of a subject studied during the final year. This subject was decided by the Ministry and the details released around Easter (prior to the examination session). The oral test covered two subjects selected respectively by the candidate and the examining board and included discussion of the written tests.20,45
The examinations for the (diploma di) maturità were set by the Ministry of (Public) Education (MPI) and marked by a board of examiners.20,45The examining board was appointed by the Ministry of Public Education for all schools on national territory. It was normally chaired by a university lecturer or by a headteacher or a teacher from an upper secondary school (scuola superiore) of the same type. In addition to the chairman, the board comprised five other members, all appointed by the Ministry, one of whom had to be a teacher from the school - or a teacher of the class being examined. The other members were teachers from other schools of the same type working in different schools or, sometimes in the same one, and who taught the subjects to which the examination related. The in-house member of the examination committee, although appointed by the Ministry, was selected by the Teachers' Assembly.25
The subject for the second (subject-specific) written test in the previous maturità examination was determined by the Ministry, no later than 10 May each year. Similarly, the Ministry determined the four subjects for the oral examination by 10 May; from these the student selected two in advance. The candidate was usually also requested to discuss the written tests in his/her oral examination.25
The final assessment for the maturità was in the form of a mark out of 60.28
The certificate received was specific to the type of upper secondary school attended (diploma di maturità classica, diploma di maturità scientifica, etc.).20
Maturità examination results were made public by posting on individual school notice boards. Marks were communicated to students and their parents.27At the request of the student, the board of examiners informed him or her, in writing, of its detailed assessment of the student's abilities and any other elements regarding potential for future educational pursuits.28
The results of the maturità were certified by maturità certificates supplied by the Ministry of Education and printed by the State. The maturità certificates supplied to schools were completed by the secretariat of the school and signed by the chairman of the examining board. These were the sole original document; copies could be taken from them and certified by a public official so that they were valid for legal purposes. They were, for example, required to obtain employment or to register at universities or other institutions of higher education.25,28