Abstract
When preparing graduates for final certification, special attention should be paid to determining the key factors affecting the exam results in external summative assessment. The purpose of the study is to highlight the main factors, such as the individual quality of students and the level of independent work skills that affect the successful outcome of the exams. Methodology: а questionnaire survey was carried out and a correlation analysis of the results was presented. The mathematical statistics methods in Excel application were used for processing the survey data. Research methods: data collection, statistical mathematical data processing, analysis of the results, and interviewsThe results of the study: In the process of preparing the final certification of graduates, the success of the exam results is closely related to the level of students' independent work skills. and self-education. In turn, the readiness for self-education cannot be carried out without independent work, the attitude to which was determined as a result of the conducted research. Outcome of the study: Successful completion of school exams is closely related to the ability to work independently. Therefore, to increase the academic knowledge of students, it is necessary to focus on the ability of students to work independently in the learning process and to develop effective teaching methods for self-improvement.