The Maturity Test as a Part of a Degree

In compliance with Government Decrees, the student has to complete a maturity test, which is based on his/her bachelor’s thesis, and which shows familiarity with the field and proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.
A352/2003, section 10
A423/2005, section 10

According to the Degree Regulations of JAMK University of Applied Sciences (section 13), a student who has completed his/her school education abroad or in a language other than Finnish (Swedish) takes the maturity test in Finnish (Swedish) or demonstrates familiarity with the field through an assignment written in the language of instruction of the degree programme in question.
Degree Regulations of JAMK University of Applied Sciences

The language of school education is the language in which the student has completed his/her comprehensive school or senior secondary school education.

JAMK Practices

The student can complete the written maturity test after his/her bachelor’s thesis has been submitted for assessment. The test is based on the student’s bachelor’s thesis. The maturity test is assessed by the thesis supervisor and the lecturer of communication skills using the grade scale pass/fail. The completion of the maturity test is stated in the degree certificate.

The maturity test is taken on the general exam dates of JAMK University of Applied Sciences or at other occasions under supervision. The maximum length of the exam is four hours. No supplementary material is allowed. The students taking the maturity test on the general exam dates should register for the test by contacting the Student Services at least 10 working days before the exam date in question.

Cover page for the Maturity test assignment

Registration for the Maturity Test

The students taking the maturity test on a general exam date should register

• at least 10 working days before the date in question
• by contacting the Student Services
• in person or by email or telephone

At the time of registration, the following information should be given

• the exam date
• the name of the thesis supervisor
• the location of the exam

Writing instructions

On the first page write your name, student number and group code (the starting year of your studies), and the names of the tutor and lecturer of communication. Leave enough space for the margins. Give your essay a title. The length of the essay should be 450 to 600 words written in an easily understandable handwriting with distinctive capitals and small letters and spaces between words (not in block letters). Write on every line leaving an empty line between paragraphs. Do not indent the first line of a paragraph. The readers of your essay know the basic concepts related to your topic. How-ever, they have not read the thesis itself. You have four (4) hours to complete the essay.

Assessment

The grading scale is either a pass or a fail. The assessment criteria are as follows:

Substance

• compatibility of the text with the assignment
• skill of summarising the content of the thesis
• grade of expertise on the topic given

Language

• independence of the text (intelligible to the reader not familiar with the thesis)
• coherence of the structure and content (usually: introduction – discussion – conclusion)
• good academic style
• correctness of the language.