The O Level examinations for the year has begun on Thursday morning.

An official of the Education Ministry told One Online today that 7,501 students are participating in this year's examinations. 7,133 students are participating in the SSC examination.

That’s an increase of 803 students over last year.

The examinations will be held from today till June 13. The SCC examination started today and students will take the examinations in Dhvehi, Islam, and Arabic subjects in the first week.

The first subject in the exam today was Islam. The examination is being conducted at 256 centers in the country.

The O Level examination ends on June 13. Students will do a total of 60 examination papers covering subjects in different streams.

In December last year, the government changed the rules for taking the O Level examination and fixed four compulsory subjects for students taking the examination. They are Islam, Dhvehi, English, and Mathematics. The government also pays for the subjects.

Previously, if the student failed the mock examination in the compulsory subject, he/she would have to pay the fee himself/herself. In addition to the four compulsory subjects, B.Tech students are required to take one additional subject.