Belgian CEB Pass Rate Dips to 84.63%, Lowest in a Decade

Just 84.63% of sixth-grade primary students in Belgium’s French-speaking community passed the Certificat d’Etudes de Base (CEB) exam in June 2026, marking the lowest pass rate in at least a decade. Of the 51,308 students who sat for the standardized test, 43,425 earned their certificate, according to official figures released on June 30 by the Administration generale de l’Enseignement of the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB).

The result represents a decline of 2.27 percentage points from the 86.90% pass rate recorded in 2025, as RTBF reported. The drop brings the pass rate below 85% for the first time since comparable records began, a notable shift for an exam that has historically hovered between 85% and 91%.

Subject-by-Subject Breakdown

The overall decline masks a mixed picture across individual subjects. French results improved significantly, with the average score rising to 77.21% from 73.77% in 2025 — a gain of 3.44 percentage points. Mathematics, however, saw a sharp reversal, dropping to 70.82% from 75.57% the previous year, a decline of 4.75 points.

Sciences and historical and geographical formation were evaluated as separate subjects for the first time in 2026, replacing the combined “eveil” category. Students averaged 70.76% in sciences and 73.20% in history-geography, compared to a 69.42% average in the combined “eveil” category in 2025.

RTL Info reported that the Administration generale de l’Enseignement described the overall pass rate as “a little weaker than previous years,” noting that mathematics results were weaker while French results increased and history-geography and science performance remained stable.

The Tronc Commun Factor

The 2026 CEB was the first edition to evaluate skills defined in the new “tronc commun” (common core) curriculum standards, part of the broader Pacte d’Excellence reform. This transition may have contributed to the decline as students and teachers adapted to new assessment frameworks.

Zhen-Zhen Zveny of La DH/Les Sports+ characterized this year’s exam as a “transition” CEB, reflecting the phased implementation of the new curriculum.

A Tougher Threshold Ahead

The declining pass rate arrives against a backdrop of significant policy change. On March 18, 2026, the parliament of the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles approved a decree raising the passing threshold for the CEB, CE1D, and CESS exams from 50% to 60%, as RTBF reported.

Starting in June 2027, students will need at least 50% in each individual subject and a global average of 60% to pass the CEB. For the CE1D and CESS secondary exams, students will need a minimum of 60% in each subject. The reform was approved by the MR-Engages majority coalition, while the opposition PS-PTB-Ecolo voted against, arguing it would deepen educational inequalities.

The government has allocated 25 million euros in funding for personalized student support through 2029 to accompany the higher standards.

Historical Context and Appeals

The 84.63% pass rate is the lowest since at least 2017, when the rate stood at 85.5%. The pre-pandemic high of 90.63% was recorded in 2018, while the 2020 exams were canceled entirely due to COVID-19. The 2022 rate of 85.42%, as RTL Info reported, was similarly low but recovered to 88.17% in 2023.

Students who failed the external evaluation may still obtain their CEB through school jury deliberation based on their academic record from the past two years. Parents also have the right to appeal a refusal to grant the certificate.

Looking Ahead

The combination of a declining pass rate and an impending threshold increase sets the stage for a challenging period in FWB education. The suppression of the first-year differentiated secondary program, replaced by personalized support within regular classrooms, represents a fundamental shift in how the system handles students who struggle with the CEB.

With the 60% threshold taking effect in just one year, education officials, teachers, and students face the dual challenge of adapting to new curriculum standards while preparing for significantly higher passing requirements. The debate between the government’s push for higher standards and the opposition’s call for more resources is likely to intensify as the 2027 exams approach.