Denmark Expanded Analog Written Exams to More Upper Secondary Foreign Languages (Denmark, June 2026)
The Ministry of Education announced that written exams in foreign languages, except English, will become fully or partly analog in more upper secondary subjects. The change is framed as a response to learning needs and the integrity challenges created by artificial intelligence.
The Ministry of Education announced that written exams in foreign languages, except English, will become fully or partly analog in more upper secondary subjects. The change is framed as a response to learning needs and the integrity challenges created by artificial intelligence.
What Changed?
From the summer examination term in 2028, written exams in French continuation language A, Greek A, Chinese A elective, Latin A and German continuation language A will be partly or fully completed with pen and paper. Arabic A, Japanese A, Turkish A and Russian A will move to one combined oral and written exam, with existing digital written exams phased out.
Old System vs New System
Several foreign-language written exams were still digital, while analog formats already existed in some comparable subjects such as Spanish beginner language A and selected French and Italian exams.
More upper secondary foreign-language exams will require analog work for at least the first sub-test, with subject-specific rules on offline dictionaries, physical grammar books, notes and digital components.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Students in affected language subjects will need to prepare for more handwritten exam tasks and different rules for allowed aids, while special examination conditions will remain available.
Parent / Family Impact
Families should be aware that exam preparation in several language subjects will increasingly include handwritten work and offline resources.
School / Institution Impact
Gymnasiums must prepare students, exam rooms and administration for partly or fully analog exams and for the phase-out of selected digital written exams.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Language teachers will need to adapt practice exams, classroom writing routines and guidance on permitted aids before the 2028 summer term.
Key Dates
- 2026 summer and sick-exam term: phase-out of digital written exams in Japanese A
- Turkish A and Russian A
- 2026/27 winter term: phase-out for Arabic A
- 2028 summer term: wider analog exam format starts.
What To Do
- Schools should update subject teams
- exam preparation plans and student guidance well before the 2028 summer examination term.
What To Watch Next
Watch for detailed exam regulations, sample papers and implementation guidance for each affected language subject.
Global Context
The move is part of a broader international shift toward reassessing digital examinations in the age of generative AI and strengthening assessment conditions for language learning.
Source Record
Source type: Exam guidance
Source name: Undervisningsministeriet