"We have learned from last year, and the practice tests also helped to verify what was less good," the president of the National Association of Directors of School Groups and Public Schools (ANDAEP) told Lusa.

The calendar begins with the Art Education test (a rotating subject assessed this year), aimed at 4th-grade students, which can be taken between 27 May and 9 June.

As in the previous year, the ModA tests will be administered in digital format, as students and schools did during the April practice tests.

At the time, the president of ANDAEP reported connectivity problems in some schools and other technical failures, but, on the eve of the first official test, Filinto Lima told Lusa that he believed the difficulties had been overcome.

“I am convinced that, globally, schools are prepared for this type of test, given the known contingencies,” said the representative of school principals, referring to the general strike scheduled for 3 June, the date of the 6th-grade Portuguese test.

When questioned about schools located in areas affected by the storms in January and February, Filinto Lima said that in those cases as well, the practice tests allowed for the identification of any flaws, which were corrected.

In Marinha Grande (Leiria district), the communication failures have already been overcome, and in April, the practice tests proceeded normally, reported Cesário Silva, director of the Marinha Grande Poente school group.

On Friday, the ModA tests continue with the 6th-grade English test, and resume on Tuesday for the younger students in 4th grade with the Portuguese tests.

On Wednesday, 3 June, the day of the general strike, 6th-grade students will take their Portuguese exams, followed by the 4th-grade math exams on 5 June and the 6th-grade exams on 8 June.