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About this exam

A matematika érettségi is the Hungarian secondary-school leaving examination in mathematics, taken by students finishing gimnázium or szakközépiskola and used for university admission, further study, and some employment routes. It exists at two levels: középszint (standard) and emelt szint (advanced). Both are written, central examinations built from the same broad topic list, but the advanced paper goes deeper and is the one usually required for mathematically demanding degree programmes. The exam is not a test of memorised tricks. It rewards fluent handling of numbers and estimation, sets, logic and combinatorics, functions and sequences, geometry and trigonometry, probability and statistics, algebra, and modelling word problems, with a small share of mathematical history and culture. You are expected to work with the permitted formula booklet and a calculator, so success depends on choosing the right tool quickly and showing clear reasoning, not on recalling every identity. Preparation means working through past official papers under time pressure, checking your written presentation, and closing gaps topic by topic. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the examining authority; always confirm current rules and dates with the official body.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Érettségi Mathematics preparation

What is the difference between középszint and emelt szint?

Both cover the same topic areas, but emelt szint asks for deeper proofs, more multi-step problems and stricter presentation. Several university programmes require emelt szint, sometimes with a minimum percentage. Check your target institution's admission requirements before choosing, because the choice affects both your preparation and your options.

How long is the exam and how many points are there?

The paper is written in two parts, a shorter-answer section and an extended-response section, but the current time allowance and point total are set by the examining authority and can change. Do not rely on second-hand figures; the official site publishes the current specification and the latest instructions for each examination period.

What is the pass mark?

The pass threshold and grade boundaries are fixed officially for each exam period and are expressed as a percentage of the total points. They are published by the examining authority, not by preparatory sites. Look up the current official document rather than planning around a remembered number, and aim well above the minimum for safety.

Can I use a calculator and the formula booklet?

Yes, a permitted calculator and the official formula collection are normally allowed, but the exact rules on calculator types and on what may be written in the booklet are set officially. Practise with the same calculator you will bring, and learn where each formula sits so you do not lose minutes searching during the exam.

How difficult is it really?

Középszint is manageable for a student who has followed the syllabus and practised past papers; the difficulty lies in speed and in avoiding careless errors. Emelt szint is a genuine step up, with longer chains of reasoning. Most candidates who struggle have not practised under timed conditions, not because the mathematics is beyond them.

Can I retake the exam?

Retakes are possible under rules set by the examining authority, and the conditions differ for standard and advanced levels and for different purposes such as admission. The official site lists the registration deadlines and the current rules. Confirm these early, because the deadlines fall well before the examination date.

In what order should I study the topics?

Start with algebra, equations and functions, since almost every other topic depends on them. Then move to geometry and trigonometry, which carry a large share of the marks, followed by probability and statistics and combinatorics. Leave mathematical history last: it is a small share and easy to revise quickly from a short summary.

Why do candidates lose marks even when the answer is right?

Common causes are missing intermediate steps, unexplained notation, unlabelled diagrams, rounding too early, and forgetting units. In extended-response problems the method earns points, so write the setup and the reasoning. Also watch the wording: a question asking for a justification will not accept a bare numerical result.

How should I use past papers?

Work full papers under timed conditions first, then mark them strictly against the official scheme. Record which topic each lost point came from and revise that topic before the next paper. In the final weeks, focus on the extended-response section, where careful presentation and clear structure gain the most marks.