Nearly 56 pct of high school applicants passes annual exam in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodia's Ministry of Education announced Saturday that 46,560 applicants, or 55.8 percent, of the total 83,325 candidates passed their annual high school graduation exams.

"108 candidates gained Grade A, 1,085 others earned Grade B, and the remainder passed with Grade C, D and E," read a ministry's statement.

The applicants took the annual exam on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 in the subjects of geography, history, biology, foreign language, Khmer literature, mathematics and moral-civic education.

The passing rate in this year's exam was higher than a 40.6- percent passing rate in last year's test.

Cambodia has begun to strengthen high school quality since last year through cleaning up cheat and bribery during the grade 12 national exam.

The high school graduation test is a prerequisite for students to pursue their studies in university levels.