The Scholarship Examination (also known as the Grade 5 exam) is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination first introduced in 1944,[1] conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is optional for students to undertake it during the final year of primary school (Grade 5; usually aged 9–10). Based on the results of the exam, students could transfer to prominent national schools. The exams are held in two mediums: Sinhala and Tamil
The examinations were introduced by the late Hon. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara, who took the initiative in establishing free education when he was the Minister of Education. Under this initiative the government established Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (MMV - Central Colleges) that were scattered around the island. The Scholarship Examination was a means for gifted students from villages to move to better schools with government scholarships.
1 Royal College, Colombo - 188
2 Dharmaraja College, Kandy - 187
3 Ananda College, Colombo - 186
4 Maliyadeva College - 184
5 Kingswood College - 181
6 Nalanda College - 179
7 Richmond College - 176
8 St. Anne's College - 174
9 Rahula College - 171
10 St. Sylvester's College - 169
11 Mahinda College - 166
12 D. S. Senanayake College - 164
13 Isipathana College - 161
14 Thurstan College - 159
15 Bandaranayake College - 157
16 Vidyartha College - 155
17 St. Aloysius' College - 154
18 Mahanama College - 152
19 Joseph Vaz College - 150
20 Ashoka Vidyalaya - 147
1 Visakha Vidyalaya - 187
2 Devi Balika Vidyalaya - 185
3 Maliyadeva Girls' College - 183
4 Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya - 181
5 Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya - 180
6 Southlands College - 177
7 Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya - 167
8 Sujatha Vidyalaya - 175
9 Holy Family Convent - 173
10 Anula Vidyalaya - 171
11 Girls' High School - 168
12 St, Paul's Girls School - 167
13 Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya - 165
14 Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala - 163
15 Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda - 161
16 Pushpadana Girls' College - 159
17 Yasodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya - 157
18 Sacred Heart Convent - 155
19 Ferguson High School - 153
20 St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda - 150
In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive, therefore many claim that it puts unnecessary pressure on students at an early age. It has been considered as a "parent's" exam rather than student's. It is necessary to carry out a study on the long term success of the scholars.
This exam is now being used as a tool for Political leaders in Sri Lanka to neglect the development of rural schools.[citation needed]