PSAC 2026: 16,264 Pupils Sit National Primary Exams This Week

More than 16,000 young Mauritians are sitting one of the most important milestones of their early schooling this week, as the Primary School Achievement Certificate examinations for 2026 get under way on Thursday.

A total of 16,264 candidates are registered to sit the PSAC exams at official examination centres spread across the island. The exams mark the end of primary school and play a key role in determining which secondary school each pupil will attend.

The PSAC, which stands for Primary School Achievement Certificate, is the national exam sat by pupils at the end of Grade 6, typically around the age of 11 or 12. It replaced the former Certificate of Primary Education in 2019 as part of a broader reform of the Mauritian education system under the Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education policy.

Unlike the old system, which was heavily criticised for the intense pressure it placed on young children, the PSAC is designed to assess pupils across a range of subjects with a greater focus on continuous assessment during the school year, not just performance in a single high-stakes test. Despite the reform, the final examination period remains a significant moment for families across Mauritius.

The results of the PSAC determine where pupils continue their secondary education. Placements are based on a combination of school-based assessments and the final exam scores, and the process is overseen by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate, the national body responsible for organising public examinations at all levels.

Examination centres are located in schools and official venues around the country, and pupils must attend the centre to which they have been assigned. Parents and guardians are advised to ensure candidates arrive on time with the correct identification and materials.

For many Mauritian families, the PSAC week brings a familiar mix of nerves and anticipation. Thousands of parents will be waiting outside centres across the island as their children complete papers in subjects including English, French, Mathematics, and other curriculum areas.

What this means: If you have a child sitting the PSAC this year, the exams run from this Thursday and cover the core subjects taught at primary level. Results, when published later in the year by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate, will determine secondary school placements. Parents are encouraged to support pupils calmly through the exam period and to have contingency plans for school runs and transport to examination centres.

Source: Le Defi Media