While most emphasis is focused on the almost half a million high school graduates taking the state exam, younger kids are already taking the middle school graduation exam, which is typically approached with considerable anxiety but is really far less selective than one might assume. According to a study of ministry data compiled by the web Skuola.net, the middle school final exam is a widely accessible test. According to data from the previous school year, 98.8% of students were admitted to the tests, and once they reached the final exams, the pass rate was practically perfect: 99.9% received their middle school certificate. Furthermore, the results are mostly positive. The majority of students score in the intermediate level, with 27.3% obtaining a seven and 27.9% achieving an eight. Nearly one-fifth of students receive a nine, while excellent grades account for a significant percentage: 5.6% receive a 10, and 5.2% receive a ten with honors. Only 14.2% of students received a six-point grade. Data analysis reveals some interesting trends. The written math examination is the most difficult, with the lowest national average (7.4), although the oral exam is still the best for many students, with an average of 7.9. In terms of gender, female students outperform their male colleagues, particularly in upper grade brackets: 14.9% of girls obtain a grade of 10 or ten with honors, compared to 8.2% for boys. The disparity is most noticeable in the Italian test, although it narrows in math. Lastly, a distinction regarding citizenship is apparent: Italian students exhibit higher admission rates and average results than their foreign counterparts, with an overall advantage of approximately 0.8 points.