Finland is renowned worldwide for its high-quality education system. In order to gain admission into Finnish universities, students must pass rigorous entrance examinations that test a wide range of skills and knowledge.
As you prepare for these challenging exams, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you are likely to encounter. Going through practice questions and sample tests will build your confidence and allow you to pinpoint areas for further review.
This comprehensive guide provides an overview of the Finland entrance exam format, shares sample questions from past exams across key subject areas, and offers detailed solutions to help you succeed. Read on to access the practice resources you need to ace your exams in 2024.
Overview of the Matriculation Examination in Finland
The Matriculation Examination, or “Matriculation Exam” for short, is a mandatory set of tests that students must pass to qualify for university admission in Finland. It evaluates students’ skills in a range of core subjects after completing upper secondary school.
Some key facts about the matriculation exam:
- Tests are administered once a year over a 3 week period each spring. Dates are set by the Matriculation Examination Board.
- Exams assess proficiency in native language, literature, second national language, foreign languages, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, health education, and religious studies or ethics.
- Tests are scored using a scale from 0 to 7. A minimum composite score of 2 is required to pass and qualify for university enrollment. Top scores range from 5 to 7.
- Both multiple choice and free response questions are utilized. Essays and problem solving questions feature prominently.
- Exams are closed book with no access to notes or reference materials permitted. Exceptions may be made for health reasons or learning disabilities.
- Testing locations are set up throughout Finland. Students take exams at their own upper secondary school.
Scoring well on the Matriculation Exam requires diligent preparation over an extended period of time. Using sample questions to practice is the most effective way to get ready for test day.
Mathematics Sample Questions
Mathematics is a core component of the Matriculation Exam, assessing students’ understanding of numbers, equations, functions, trigonometry, vectors, probability, statistics and other key concepts.
Here are some example math questions along with step-by-step solutions:
1. Solve the equation for x:3(x + 2) – 4(2x – 1) = -18
Solution:
- Step 1) Distribute the terms on each side of the equals sign:
3x + 6 – 8x + 4 = -18
- Step 2) Group like terms:
-5x + 10 = -18
- Step 3) Add 5x and subtract 10 from both sides:
-5x = -28
- Step 4) Divide both sides by -5:
x = 5.6Therefore, x = 5.62. Given f(x) = 3×2 – 4 and g(x) = 2x + 5, find f(g(2)):Solution:
- Step 1) Substitute 2 into g(x):
g(2) = 2(2) + 5
= 4 + 5
= 9
- Step 2) Substitute g(2) = 9 into f(x):
f(9) = 3(9)2 – 4
- Step 3) Evaluate:
f(9) = 3(81) – 4
= 243 – 4
= 239
Therefore, f(g(2)) = 2393.
The angle of elevation to the top of a monument from a point 80 meters away from the monument is 35 degrees.
Find the height of the monument. [Diagram showing angle of elevation and distance to monument]
Solution:
- Let x = height of monument
- Tan(35°) = x/80
- Tan(35°) = 0.7
- 0.7 = x/80
- x = 0.7 * 80 = 56
Therefore, the height of the monument is 56 meters.Practicing a wide selection of mathematical problems covering various principles and techniques is the best way to prepare for this exam section.
These examples demonstrate the reasoning and calculations required for success.
Physics Sample Questions
Physics is another core science subject tested on the Matriculation Exam. Students must demonstrate sound conceptual knowledge and mathematical problem solving abilities related to mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and quantum physics.Consider these practice questions:
1. An object is launched vertically upward from ground level with an initial velocity of 65 m/s. Assuming no air resistance, what will be its displacement after 6 seconds?
Solution:
- Initial velocity v0 = 65 m/s
- Time t = 6 s
- Acceleration a = -9.81 m/s2 (gravity)
- Use equation s = v0t + 1/2at2
- s = 65(6) + 1/2(-9.81)(62)
- = 390 – 176.1
- s = 213.9 m
Therefore, the displacement after 6 seconds is 213.9 m.
2. Monochromatic light with a wavelength of 452 nm passes from glass (refractive index 1.52) into water (refractive index 1.33).
What is the wavelength of this light beam in water?
Solution:
- λ0 = 452 nm (in glass)
- n1 = 1.52 (refractive index of glass)
- n2 = 1.33 (refractive index of water)
- Use equation: λ2 = λ0(n1/n2)
- λ2 = 452 nm(1.52/1.33) = 511 nm
Therefore, the wavelength in water is 511 nm.
3. An ideal gas expands reversibly and adiabatically from 1.00 liter to 2.50 liters. If the initial pressure was 2.30 atm and temperature 27.0°C, what are the final pressure and temperature?Solution:
- Use PV^γ = constant, where γ = cp/cv = 1.4 for ideal diatomic gas
- P1V1^γ = P2V2^γ
- (2.30 atm)(1.00 L)^1.4 = P2(2.50 L)^1.4
- P2 = 0.920 atm
- Also, T1/T2 = (V2/V1)^(γ-1)
- (27.0 + 273)/T2 = (2.50/1.00)^(1.4-1)
- T2 = 235 K = -38.1°C
Therefore, the final pressure is 0.920 atm and the final temperature is -38.1°C.You can expect exam questions to cover concepts like forces, motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, fluids, and optics. Practice responding to a wide range of problems to build proficiency.
Chemistry Sample Questions
Chemistry is a required subject on the Matriculation Exam. Students will need to demonstrate understanding of topics like atomic structure, chemical formulas and equations, periodic trends, bonding, states of matter, solutions, reaction rates, acids/bases, redox reactions, organic chemistry, and laboratory methods.
Try answering these practice questions:
1. Balance the following chemical equation:H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 → CaSO4 + H2OSolution:
- Reactants:H2SO4: 2 H, 1 S, 4 O
- Ca(OH)2: 1 Ca, 2 H, 2 O
- Products:CaSO4: 1 Ca, 1 S, 4 O
- H2O: 2 H, 1 O
- Balance oxygen atoms:Reactants: 4 + 2 = 6 O
- Products: 4 + 1 = 5 O
- Add coefficient 2 for H2O to balance oxygen
- Updated equation:
H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 → CaSO4 + 2H2O
2. For the reaction 2A + B → 3C, if the concentration of A decreases from 0.60 M to 0.45 M over the course of 10.0 minutes, what is the average rate of reaction during this interval?
Solution:
- Initial [A] = 0.60 M
- Final [A] = 0.45 M
- Change in [A] = Initial – Final = 0.60 – 0.45 = 0.15 M
- Time interval = 10.0 min
- Rate = Change in Concentration / Time
- = 0.15 M / (10.0 min)
- = 0.015 M/min
Therefore, the average rate of reaction is 0.015 M/min.
3. Identify the hybridization of sulfur in SF6 and the molecular geometry around sulfur.Solution:
- Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons.
- In SF6, S forms 6 single bonds with F.
- So S has sp3d2 hybridization.
- With 6 areas of electron density, SF6 has octahedral molecular geometry around the central sulfur atom.
You’ll need to be well-versed in fundamental concepts like stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermochemistry, and electrochemistry. These sample questions demonstrate the mix of qualitative and quantitative problems typical of this exam area.
Biology Sample Questions
Biology is a mainstay of the Matriculation Exam, testing students’ grasp key topics like cell structure, metabolism, genetics, evolution, classification, anatomy, physiology, and ecology.Consider these practice biology questions:
1. The codon AUG codes for methionine and signals the start of translation in protein synthesis. What would be the corresponding anti-codon on tRNA that pairs with AUG?Solution:
- mRNA codon AUG pairs with tRNA anti-codon UAC (complementary base pairing)
- A pairs with U
- U pairs with A
- G pairs with C
Therefore, the anti-codon that pairs with AUG is UAC.
2. Explain how natural selection can lead to evolution.
Solution:
Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on the suitability to their environment. Individuals with favorable heritable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass these traits to their offspring.Over successive generations, beneficial traits become more common in the population.
This leads populations to become adapted to their environments. As adaptations accumulate over long periods of time, populations evolve.
3. Where does glycolysis take place in the cell? Where does the citric acid cycle take place?
Solution:
Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. It is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate with the production of small amounts of ATP.In contrast, the citric acid cycle takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria. The citric acid cycle completes the metabolic breakdown of pyruvate into carbon dioxide while also generating NADH for ATP production.
Practice responding to questions on topics like DNA technology, human health, plants, ecosystems, and evolutionary relationships. You’ll need to integrate knowledge from multiple sub-disciplines.
Geography Sample Questions
Geography assessments test students’ understanding of physical landscapes and processes as well as human activities, cultures, migrations, urbanization patterns, economic interconnections, and geopolitics.Try these practice geography questions:
1. Describe three pieces of evidence for continental drift.
Solution:
- The shapes of the continents appear as if they could fit together like pieces of a puzzle, such as the eastern coastline of South America fitting closely to the western coastline of Africa. This suggests the landmasses were once connected and have since drifted apart.
- Fossil evidence shows that similar plant and animal species once existed along the coasts of now widely separated continents. Their migration would have been possible if the continents were previously joined.
- Geological formations of similar age and structure are found on separate continents, such as the Appalachian Mountains of North America having matching formations in Scotland and Ireland, suggesting the landmasses were once contiguous.
2. Discuss three economic factors that influence population density across different regions of Finland.
Solution:
Three economic factors that affect Finland’s population density:
- Accessibility of arable land suitable for agriculture and forestry. The availability of fertile farmland and productive timber forests tend to attract larger populations in rural communities across Finland.
- Proximity to fishing waters. Regions located near Finland’s lakes, rivers, and extensive coastlines along the Baltic Sea tend to support larger populations due to the importance of fishing activities.
- Industrial and technological centers. Major cities like Helsinki and Tampere with advanced infrastructure, manufacturing, and tech hubs draw dense populations with employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Finland has a high quality education system and the entrance exams to get into Finnish universities can be quite competitive. Some key things to know:
Sample exam questions and solutions can be useful preparation tools for those looking to study in Finland. They give students an idea of the style and difficulty level of the real exams.
Mathematics, sciences, Finnish language, and English are common topics tested. Questions tend to focus on problem solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
Official sample questions are usually available from the universities themselves. Various third party books and online resources also provide practice test materials.
When researching materials, focus on the most recent past years’ exams as these will be the closest representation of what students can expect for 2024.
Solutions show the logic, formulas, and full working so students can learn the thought process expected for high marks.
