The Peculiarities of a geography maturity test of 2009

The article aims to investigate the peculiarities of the composition of candidates of the 2009 geography maturity test, its results and territorial distribution. The findings of the research shall allow us to more accurately evaluate the relationship of the results of the geography maturity test between the sex composition of candidates and territorial distribution, to foresee the trends of candidates’ change. In 2009, 5874 pupils took a geography maturity test. Their sex composition and territorial distribution are associated with allocation of Lithuanian citizens and the peculiarities of school network. 43.2% of candidates were educated in the municipalities of five biggest Lithuanian towns. The major part of candidates (55.2%) were pupils from schools of general education. However, a fair amount of candidates (40.9%) taking the afore-mentioned test studies at schools of handicraft and at schools of agriculture. At schools of the said type boys make up a bigger part of pupils, while girls constitute a smaller group of candidates taking a geography test. It explained the results of the geography maturity test: the results of the pupils from schools of handicraft and from schools of agriculture are lower in 1–1.3 grades than the results of the pupils from schools of general education. The results of the geography maturity test demonstrate a better performance of boys in taking the said test at schools of all types. The analysis of territorial distribution of the results of the geography maturity test shows that pupils from schools in Western Lithuania exhibited a higher level of geography-related knowledge and competences