A mock mathematics exam for Polish high school students included a question involving coloring a drawing of a lumberjack, which led to online discussions about the perceived decline in the difficulty of matura exams over the years.
On March 5, Polish schools had the opportunity to conduct a mock matura exam in basic mathematics, which attracted attention primarily due to one particular task – question 28. The question presented students with a drawing of a lumberjack divided into six numbered areas that needed to be colored in such a way that no adjacent areas shared the same color, with seven colors available. The specific math problem posed a challenge where students could potentially earn a point for correctly answering how many ways this could be done based on provided multiple-choice options.
The task quickly became a topic of discussion among internet users, who interpreted the question as a humorous nod to a longstanding joke regarding the matura exams' decreasing difficulty over the years. The jest is that, at some point, the exams' only requirement may become as simple as 'coloring the lumberjack.' Participants in online forums commented on how this reflects a broader sentiment surrounding education standards and the pressure on students.
