Some 210,000 high school pupils will find out on Wednesday if they have passed their school leaving exams.

This year for the first time pupils scoring an average grade of more than 8 will have their certificates’ officially marked cum laude. The government has introduced a standard definition of the honour in an effort to drive up standards.

Previously, schools were able to come up with their own definition, with some schools demanding an 8+ in every subject to qualify.

Meanwhile, the school exams board chief Pieter Hendrikse says in an interview in Trouw that he would favour the introduction of two exam periods – one in June and one in November.

This would enable schools to better adapt to the skills of their pupils so they could take the crucial tests when they were ready to do so, Hendrikse said. School heads and pupils’ organisations back the plan, Trouw said.

Traditionally in the Netherlands, families announce the success of their children by hanging a flag and school bag outside their home.