Sweden's College Entry Test Celebrates 100th Edition

Sweden's national college entrance exam reaches a milestone this weekend. The test will be administered for the 100th time on Sunday across the country.

Over 72,700 people have registered for this autumn's exam. That number is substantially lower than last spring's record high of 93,000 applicants.

The Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test helps students improve their chances of admission to competitive university programs. University applications hit record numbers in autumn 2025. This surge likely reflects both a weaker job market and growing youth populations.

These factors also explain the high registration numbers seen last spring, according to the Swedish Council for Higher Education.

What is this test exactly? The Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test measures general academic ability rather than specific subject knowledge. It serves as an alternative pathway to university admission alongside high school grades.

The exam is typically offered twice yearly in over 100 locations throughout Sweden. Students can take the test from the year they turn 18. Test results remain valid for eight years.

Sweden introduced this standardized testing system in 1977. The oldest person ever to take the exam was 93 years old.

With university admissions becoming increasingly competitive, this testing system provides an important alternative route to higher education. The fluctuating registration numbers clearly reflect broader economic trends affecting young Swedes' educational choices.