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Key Facts: Državna Matura Biology Exam

Total Points

NCVVO Ispitni katalog

150 min

Exam Duration

NCVVO

25% (17.50 pts)

Minimum Passing Score (2)

Pravilnik o državnoj maturi

85% (59.50 pts)

Threshold for Grade 5 (Odličan)

NCVVO

35%

Human Physiology Weight

NCVVO Blueprint Domain 2

25%

Cell Biology Weight

NCVVO Blueprint Domain 1

25%

Genetics & Evolution Weight

NCVVO Blueprint Domain 3

15%

Ecology & Biosphere Weight

NCVVO Blueprint Domain 4

The Croatian Državna matura Biology (Biologija) exam is a 150-minute, 70-point paper-based elective examination administered by NCVVO; the minimum passing score is 25% (17.50 points), serving as a crucial admissions criterion for medical, healthcare, and life sciences university faculties.

Sample Državna Matura Biology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Državna Matura Biology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which cellular organelle is directly responsible for translating messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences into polypeptide chains during protein synthesis?

A.Ribosome

B.Golgi apparatus

C.Lysosome

D.Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation: Ribosomes, composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, are the universal ribonucleoprotein complexes that catalyze peptide bond formation and translate mRNA transcripts into functional polypeptide chains.

2Which of the following structural features reliably distinguishes a typical prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell?

A.Presence of a semi-permeable phospholipid plasma membrane

B.Absence of a membrane-enclosed nucleus containing linear chromosomes

C.Presence of ribosomes synthesizing polypeptides

D.Use of double-stranded DNA as genetic material

Explanation: Prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) lack a membrane-bound nucleus; their circular chromosomal DNA resides in an unmembrane-bound region called the nucleoid, whereas eukaryotes possess a true membrane-enclosed nucleus enclosing linear chromosomes.

3What occurs when a mature plant cell is placed into a strongly hypertonic aqueous solution?

A.The cell swells and bursts (cytolysis) due to unrestricted osmotic water influx

B.Turgor pressure increases, pressing the plasma membrane firmly against the cell wall

C.Plasmolysis occurs as water exits the vacuole, causing the protoplast to pull away from the rigid cell wall

D.The cell wall breaks down through enzymatic degradation

Explanation: In a hypertonic environment, water moves down its water potential gradient out of the plant cell vacuole and cytoplasm via osmosis, causing the protoplast to shrink and detach from the rigid cellulosic cell wall in a process termed plasmolysis.

4Which organelle is designated as the primary site of aerobic cellular respiration and bulk ATP generation in eukaryotic cells?

A.Peroxisome

B.Centrosome

C.Vacuole

D.Mitochondrion

Explanation: Mitochondria carry out the citric acid cycle in their matrix and oxidative phosphorylation across their inner cristae membrane, generating the vast majority of cellular ATP via chemiosmosis.

5Which monomeric building block is correctly paired with the biological macromolecule it forms?

A.Monosaccharide — Nucleic acid

B.Amino acid — Polypeptide

C.Nucleotide — Triglyceride

D.Fatty acid — Polysaccharide

Explanation: Polypeptides and proteins are linear polymers formed by joining amino acid monomers through covalent peptide bonds between alpha-amino and alpha-carboxyl groups.

6Which wavelengths of the visible light spectrum are most strongly absorbed by chlorophyll a during plant photosynthesis?

A.Green and yellow light

B.Green and orange light

C.Blue-violet and red light

D.Infrared and ultraviolet light exclusively

Explanation: Chlorophyll a exhibits peak absorbance in the blue-violet (~430 nm) and red (~660 nm) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, while transmitting and reflecting green light, which accounts for the green coloration of plant foliage.

7What is the primary genetic difference between the daughter cells produced by mitotic cell division versus those produced by meiotic division?

A.Mitosis yields two genetically identical diploid (2n) daughter cells, while meiosis yields four genetically diverse haploid (n) daughter cells

B.Mitosis produces four haploid cells, while meiosis produces two diploid somatic cells

C.Mitosis generates gametes with recombined genetic material, while meiosis maintains identical maternal copies

D.Mitosis reduces the chromosome number by half, while meiosis doubles the total genome size

Explanation: Mitosis is an equational division producing two identical diploid somatic daughter cells (2n), whereas meiosis comprises two sequential nuclear divisions resulting in four non-identical haploid gametes (n) with halved chromosome counts.

8According to the fluid mosaic model, what constitutes the fundamental structural matrix of biological membranes?

A.A rigid, static layer of structural carbohydrates linked by cellulose fibers

B.A continuous sheet of insoluble triglycerides coated externally with nucleic acids

C.A solid crystalline monolayer of cholesterol and glycolipids

D.An amphipathic phospholipid bilayer embedded with diverse integral and peripheral proteins

Explanation: The Singer-Nicolson fluid mosaic model describes membranes as a fluid phospholipid bilayer whose hydrophobic fatty acyl chains face inward and hydrophilic phosphate head groups face aqueous environments, studded with mobile proteins.

9How does primary active transport fundamentally differ from facilitated diffusion across a cellular plasma membrane?

A.Active transport moves water molecules exclusively, whereas facilitated diffusion transports nonpolar steroid gases

B.Active transport hydrolyzes ATP to pump solutes against their electrochemical gradient, whereas facilitated diffusion moves solutes down their gradient without metabolic energy

C.Active transport does not require transmembrane carrier proteins, whereas facilitated diffusion requires ATP hydrolysis

D.Active transport is driven purely by brownian thermal motion, whereas facilitated diffusion requires cellular respiration

Explanation: Primary active transport directly couples the hydrolysis of ATP to the translocation of ions or molecules against their concentration or electrical gradient (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase), while facilitated diffusion uses channel or carrier proteins passively down a concentration gradient.

10In which cellular compartment does the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) occur in eukaryotic cells?

A.Mitochondrial matrix

B.Mitochondrial intermembrane space

C.Cytosol

D.Inner mitochondrial membrane cristae

Explanation: The citric acid cycle enzymes (with the exception of succinate dehydrogenase, which is membrane-bound as Complex II) are dissolved within the aqueous mitochondrial matrix.

About the Državna Matura Biology Exam

The Državna matura iz Biologije (State Matura Biology) is a national, standardized upper-secondary examination administered by the National Centre for External Evaluation of Education (Nacionalni centar za vanjsko vrednovanje obrazovanja – NCVVO) in Zagreb, Croatia. Governed by the Pravilnik o polaganju državne mature (NN 56/2026), the exam evaluates secondary school graduates across four comprehensive domains: Stanica i molekularna biologija (25%), Fiziologija čovjeka i životinja (35%), Genetika i evolucija (25%), and Ekologija i biosfera (15%). As an elective matura exam, Biologija is one of the most demanding and competitive subjects, serving as a mandatory admissions criterion for entrance into medical faculties (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek), dental medicine, pharmacy and medical biochemistry (FBF), veterinary medicine, biotechnology (PBF), and undergraduate biology/molecular biology programs at the Faculty of Science (PMF). The test is scored out of 70 raw points with a 150-minute time allowance; a minimum of 25% (17.50 points) is required to pass with grade 2 (dovoljan), while competitive university ranking typically demands scores well above 80% (ocjena odličan).

Exam sponsor: NCVVO. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

70 questions

Time Limit

150 minutes

Passing Score

17.50 out of 70 points (25%)

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for regular seniors; fee per exam applies for re-sits/external candidates.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

35%

Fiziologija čovjeka i životinja

Organ system physiology, nervous communication, sensory perception, endocrine feedback, circulation, immunology, respiration, digestion, and osmoregulation.

25%

Stanica i molekularna biologija

Cellular structures, transport mechanisms, enzymatic action, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, mitosis, and meiosis.

25%

Genetika i evolucija

DNA replication, gene expression, classical Mendelian genetics, pedigree analysis, population genetics, and evolutionary adaptations.

15%

Ekologija i biosfera

Ecosystem structure, trophic relationships, biogeochemical cycles, ecological succession, biomes, and nature conservation.

Preparing for the Državna Matura Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 17.50 out of 70 points (25%)
Exam length: 70 questions
Time limit: 150 minutes
Exam / certification fees: Free for regular seniors; fee per exam applies for re-sits/external candidates. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Državna Matura Biology: Suggested Study Strategy

1Dedicate at least 35% of your revision time to Human Physiology, focusing on negative feedback in endocrine pathways and kidney nephron osmoregulation.

2Master biochemical pathways visually: compare light and dark reactions of photosynthesis side-by-side with aerobic cellular respiration stages (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation).

3Practice multi-generation Mendelian pedigree analysis, especially distinguishing X-linked recessive disorders from autosomal recessive and dominant traits.

4Memorize Hardy-Weinberg equations (p + q = 1 and p² + 2pq + q² = 1) and practice allele vs. genotype frequency calculations without relying on a calculator.

5Review the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, and translation, including tRNA anticodon pairing, stop codons, and lac operon regulation.

6Understand ecological energy transfer rules (Lindeman's 10% law) and biogeochemical cycle bottlenecks, such as nitrogen fixation and nitrification.

7Work through past official NCVVO exam papers from previous years under strict 150-minute timed conditions to hone pacing for the 70-point paper.

8Carefully read biological diagrams and experimental graphs, as high-scoring NCVVO items evaluate scientific deduction from experimental data rather than rote memorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format and duration of the Croatian Državna matura Biology exam?

The Državna matura Biology exam is a single paper-based test administered centrally by NCVVO lasting 150 minutes. The paper contains tasks worth a total of 70 points, including multiple-choice questions (MCQs), matching tasks, short-answer open questions, and scientific data/graphical analysis items. Calculators are not permitted; candidates may only use a blue or black pen and a geometric ruler.

What is the passing score and grading scale for Državna matura Biologija?

Under the NCVVO evaluation framework, the minimum passing score (ocjena dovoljan 2) is established at 25% (17.50 out of 70 points). The standard grade distribution thresholds set by NCVVO are: 25.00% to 49.99% for dovoljan (2), 50.00% to 69.99% for dobar (3), 70.00% to 84.99% for vrlo dobar (4), and 85.00% and above (59.50/70 points) for odličan (5).

Which university faculties in Croatia require the State Matura in Biology?

Passing Državna matura Biologija is either compulsory or grants major ranking points for admission to Faculties of Medicine (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek), the School of Dental Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (FBF), the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Faculty of Science (PMF - Biology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Sciences), the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF), and various nursing, physiotherapy, and healthcare studies.

Is Biology an elective or compulsory subject on the State Matura?

Biology is an elective (izborni) subject on the Državna matura. Gymnasium graduates must pass compulsory exams in Croatian Language, Mathematics, and a Foreign Language, but must choose elective subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics depending on the enrollment criteria of their desired university degree programs.

How do the four blueprint domains contribute to the exam score?

According to the official Ispitni katalog za državnu maturu iz Biologije, the 70 points are weighted across four domains: Stanica i molekularna biologija accounts for 25% (~17.5 points), Fiziologija čovjeka i životinja represents the largest share at 35% (~24.5 points), Genetika i evolucija constitutes 25% (~17.5 points), and Ekologija i biosfera accounts for 15% (~10.5 points).

Are calculators allowed during the Biology matura exam?

No. According to NCVVO regulations, calculators are strictly prohibited during the Biology examination. All calculations involving Mendelian phenotypic ratios, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium frequencies, or ecological pyramid efficiency percentages are designed to be computed by hand or mental arithmetic.

When is the Državna matura Biology exam held and can it be retaken?

The exam is held during the summer examination session (ljetni rok) in June. Candidates who do not pass or wish to improve their score may re-register for the autumn examination session (jesenski rok) in late August or early September, subject to the registration timelines on Postani student.

Free Practice Questions for Državna Matura Biology

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