Italian Students Surprised by Pasolini and Lampedusa on Maturity Exam

Updated June 18, 2025

The Italian “maturity” exam, a crucial test for high school students, presented some unexpected challenges this year. While topics like respect and social media resonated with many of the 524,415 students,the inclusion of authors such as Tomasi di Lampedusa (“Il Gattopardo”) and pier Paolo Pasolini⁢ caught many off guard.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered words of encouragement ⁣to the students, urging them to “take a good breath” and be proud of their efforts.

Many students found the tracks on respect (40.3%) and social networks (15.1%) more‍ relatable. the history track, addressing the New Deal era, also proved popular (12.8%) due to‍ its classroom relevance and‍ the lasting impact of roosevelt’s policies. A poignant excerpt from Paolo Borsellino’s writings on the importance ⁤of young ⁢people also featured.

Chiara Lalli, co-author of the social media article, noted the potential for social⁢ networks⁢ to amplify both fear and the⁢ need to understand different perspectives. Riccardo Maccioni, a journalist from Avvenire, emphasized the importance of respect in building relationships, a theme also highlighted by Education Minister ⁢Giuseppe Valditara.

The philosopher⁣ Telmo Pievani’s work ‍on environmental issues was also included, adding another layer of complexity ‍to the exam. This year, students with a conduct grade of 6/10 will also face a critical assessment on active and solidarity citizenship during their interview. Additionally, Invalsi test results will ⁤now be included in ‍student records.

What’s next

Students will return for the second written test, tailored ⁣to their specific fields ⁤of study.Further changes to the exam system, particularly the oral component, are expected next year.