CEB 2026: Past Exams and Tips for June Certification Test

As the June certification test approaches, parents and students in Wallonia-Brussels can access a wealth of resources to prepare for the 2026 CEB (Certificat d’Études de Base), the standardized external exam taken by all sixth-year primary students. This year’s edition carries particular significance as it is the first CEB based on the new “Tronc Commun” (Common Core) curriculum, introducing notable changes to the exam structure and content.

Exam Schedule and Format

The CEB 2026 will take place on the mornings of Thursday 18, Friday 19, Monday 22, and Tuesday 23 June 2026, according to RTBF. Results will be communicated to schools by Thursday 25 June at 12:00.

The exam covers four separate disciplines evaluated over four days: French (Français) on Thursday 18 June, Mathematics (Mathématiques) on Friday 19 June, Sciences on Monday 22 June, and Formation Historique et Géographique (FHGES / History-Geography) on Tuesday 23 June. A notable change from previous years is that the former combined “Éveil” (Awareness) subject has been split into Sciences and FHGES as separate disciplines, meaning students must now pass four thresholds instead of three.

Major Changes Under the Common Core

The 2026 CEB is the first edition based on the Référentiels du Tronc Commun (RTC), replacing the old “Socles de compétences.” As the official Enseignement.be portal explains, this introduces new vocabulary, an explicit evaluation of argumentation and justification skills, and structural changes such as splitting reading into “Lire 1” (long text ~900 words) and “Lire 2” (short texts collection).

While the passing threshold remains at 50% for 2026, the government has announced that a 60% threshold will be introduced starting June 2027, as reported by DHnet.

Educator Concerns and Controversy

The transition to the new curriculum has generated significant anxiety among educators. In January 2026, DHnet reported that teachers and school directors were warning of a potential “massacre” due to students being evaluated on new content they may not have been fully taught. Key concerns include the split of “Éveil” into two disciplines requiring four passing thresholds, new vocabulary that teachers and students are still adapting to, and a transitional period where some students remain under the old standards while others follow the new RTC.

Preparation Resources for Parents

Multiple resources are available to help families prepare. RTBF provides past exams from 2021 to 2025 with corrections, along with the “Viens, je t’explique” video series covering key concepts. L’Avenir has published a series of interactive quizzes in mathematics, French, sciences, and history-geography.

A free parent-created resource site, Réussir-CEB.be, offers flashcards, exercises, and theory based on the new RTC référentiels. The Ligue de l’Enseignement also provides comprehensive practical information about the exam dates and conditions.

Who Must Take the CEB

The exam is compulsory for all sixth-year primary students in ordinary education, first and second-year differentiated secondary students, first-year common secondary students who do not yet hold the CEB, and home-schooled children who turn 12 by 31 August 2026. Children aged at least 11 by 31 December 2026 may also take it on parental decision.

Adapted Versions Available

Students with specific needs such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or visual impairments can request adapted versions of the exam, including Arial 20 (V1), Arial 14 (V2), and Braille formats. Requests must be made through the school director.

Historical Pass Rates

Historical data shows consistent pass rates: 87.22% in 2024, 85.42% in 2022, and 88.32% in 2021. Whether the transition to the new Common Core curriculum will affect this year’s results remains to be seen.

What to Watch For

With the teachers’ strike in May 2026 raising concerns about potential disruptions to end-of-year exams, and the significant curriculum changes taking effect, the 2026 CEB represents a pivotal moment for education in Wallonia-Brussels. Parents are encouraged to use the available resources early and help their children familiarize themselves with the new exam format.

For the most up-to-date information, families should consult the official Enseignement.be portal, which provides past exams, official circulars, and detailed information about the certification process.