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Key Facts: Državna Matura History Exam

66

Total Scoreable Points

NCVVO Ispitni katalog

120 min

Exam Duration

NCVVO Ispitni katalog

19.80 pts (30%)

Minimum Passing Score (Dovoljan 2)

NCVVO Odluka o bodovnim pragovima

5

Chronological Blueprint Domains

NCVVO Ispitni katalog za Povijest

25%

Weight of Contemporary 20th Century

NCVVO Ispitni katalog

Free (0 EUR)

First-time Regular Senior Exam Fee

Pravilnik o polaganju državne mature

NN 56/2026

Regulatory Legal Basis

Narodne novine

56.10 pts (85%)

Threshold for Grade Excellent (Odličan 5)

NCVVO Odluka o bodovnim pragovima

The Croatian Državna matura History examination is a centrally administered 135-minute, 66-point national elective test created by NCVVO covering world and Croatian history across five eras with a 30% minimum passing threshold.

Sample Državna Matura History Practice Questions

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

1Which Copper Age culture, named after a site near Vukovar in eastern Croatia, is famous for its distinctive metallurgy and zoomorphic pottery vessel known as the 'Vučedol Dove'?
A.Vučedol culture
B.Starčevo culture
C.Hallstatt culture
D.Vinča culture
Explanation: The Vučedol culture (c. 3000–2200 BCE) flourished along the Danube in eastern Slavonia. Its type-site near Vukovar yielded advanced copper metallurgy and ritual ceramic vessels, most notably the 'Vučedol Dove' (or Partridge).
2Which Croatian geologist and paleontologist discovered the world-famous Neanderthal fossil site on Hušnjakovo Hill in Krapina in 1899?
A.Ljudevit Vukotinović
B.Spiridion Brusina
C.Andrija Mohorovičić
D.Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger
Explanation: Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger excavated Hušnjakovo Hill near Krapina between 1899 and 1905, uncovering the largest known collection of Neanderthal remains and pioneering fluorine dating.
3The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest deciphered legal codes in world history, is based primarily on which legal principle?
A.Presumption of innocence and trial by jury
B.Universal suffrage and equal citizen rights
C.Lex talionis (an eye for an eye)
D.Civil damages paid exclusively in silver bullion
Explanation: Hammurabi's Code (c. 1750 BCE, ancient Babylonia) operated on the principle of retributive justice or lex talionis ('an eye for an eye'), where punishments strictly mirrored the harm inflicted, modulated by social class.
4Which Athenian statesman introduced payment for public office (misthophoria) and led Athens during its Golden Age in the 5th century BCE?
A.Pericles
B.Solon
C.Cleisthenes
D.Pisistratus
Explanation: Pericles dominated Athenian politics from 461 to 429 BCE, paying daily stipends to jurors and council members so poorer citizens could participate in the radical direct democracy.
5In the Roman Republic, which magistrate was created during the Conflict of the Orders to protect plebeians against patrician abuse, possessing the power of veto (intercessio)?
A.Consul
B.Tribune of the Plebs
C.Praetor
D.Censor
Explanation: The Tribune of the Plebs (tribunus plebis) was sacrosanct and held the veto power (intercessio) to block actions of magistrates and protect plebeian citizens.
6Which Greek colony on the Adriatic was founded around 385 BCE by Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse, located on the island of Vis?
A.Pharos
B.Tragurion
C.Issa
D.Epidaurum
Explanation: Issa was founded on the island of Vis c. 385 BCE by the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius the Elder. It became a powerful independent polis that minted its own coinage and founded sub-colonies like Tragurion (Trogir) and Epetion (Stobreč).
7Which Illyrian queen ruled the Ardiaei kingdom and provoked the First Illyrian War (229–228 BCE) by supporting piracy against Roman and Italian merchant vessels in the Adriatic?
A.Beroea
B.Triteuta
C.Teuta
D.Audata
Explanation: Queen Teuta assumed the regency of the Ardiaean kingdom following the death of King Agron in 231 BCE. When Roman envoys protested Illyrian piracy, one envoy was murdered, triggering the First Illyrian War.
8The massive anti-Roman insurrection in Illyricum between 6 and 9 CE, described by the historian Suetonius as Rome's most difficult conflict since the Punic Wars, is known as what?
A.The Social War
B.The Servile War
C.The Bellum Batonianum (Great Illyrian Revolt)
D.The Marcomannic Wars
Explanation: The Bellum Batonianum (6–9 CE) was led by Bato the Daesitiate and Bato the Breucian. Tiberius spent three years conducting brutal campaigns to suppress the rebellion, leading to the permanent division of Illyricum into Dalmatia and Pannonia.
9Following the suppression of the Great Illyrian Revolt in 9 CE, the Roman province of Illyricum was divided into which two distinct provinces?
A.Dalmatia (Superior) and Pannonia (Inferior)
B.Moesia and Thracia
C.Noricum and Raetia
D.Macedonia and Epirus
Explanation: Emperor Augustus divided Illyricum into Illyricum Superius (which became the province of Dalmatia, extending along the Adriatic coast and inland Dinaric mountains) and Illyricum Inferius (which became the province of Pannonia).
10Which ancient city near modern Split served as the administrative, political, and economic capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia?
A.Iader
B.Narona
C.Epidaurum
D.Salona
Explanation: Salona (modern Solin) was the capital of Dalmatia and one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, boasting an amphitheater, forum, basilicas, and a population exceeding 40,000.

About the Državna Matura History Exam

The Croatian Državna matura in History (Povijest) is a standardized national school-leaving elective examination administered by the National Centre for External Evaluation of Education (Nacionalni centar za vanjsko vrednovanje obrazovanja — NCVVO). Grounded in the Pravilnik o polaganju državne mature (NN 56/2026), the exam evaluates secondary school graduates across four years of historical curricula spanning world, European, and Croatian national history. The 135-minute paper carries 66 scoreable points distributed across five chronological domains: Prehistory and Antiquity (15%), Middle Ages (20%), Early Modern Era (20%), Modern Era / 19th Century (20%), and Contemporary / 20th Century (25%). Tasks assess factual recall, chronological ordering, analysis of primary written sources, interpretations of historical maps, and political caricatures. Achieving a high score is essential for competitive admission to university faculties of law, history, political science, sociology, archaeology, and humanities.

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

Questions

66 questions

Time Limit

135 minutes

Passing Score

19.80 out of 66 points (30%)

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.

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.

15%

Prapovijest i stari vijek (Prehistory and Antiquity)

Ancient Near East, classical Greece and Rome, Greek Adriatic colonies (Issa, Pharos), Illyrian kingdoms, Roman conquest, and provinces Dalmatia and Pannonia.

20%

Srednji vijek (Middle Ages)

Early medieval migrations, Duke Trpimir, King Tomislav, Petar Krešimir IV, Zvonimir, Baška tablet, Pacta Conventa, Arpad and Anjou dynasties, and feudal institutions.

20%

Rani novi vijek (Early Modern Era)

Renaissance and Reformation, Ottoman expansion, Battle of Mohács, 1527 Cetin election of the Habsburgs, Military Frontier, Sisak victory, and Zrinski-Frankopan conspiracy.

20%

Moderno doba i 19. stoljeće (Modern Era / 19th Century)

Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces, Croatian national revival (Illyrian movement), 1848 revolutions, Ban Josip Jelačić, 1868 Settlement, and national political parties.

25%

Suvremeno doba i 20. stoljeće (Contemporary Era / 20th Century)

World War I, creation of Yugoslavia, interwar crisis and Banovina Hrvatska, World War II and anti-fascism, socialist Yugoslavia, 1971 Croatian Spring, Homeland War, and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Preparing for the Državna Matura History Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 19.80 out of 66 points (30%)
  • Exam length: 66 questions
  • Time limit: 135 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for regular seniors; fee per exam applies for re-sits/external candidates. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Državna Matura History: Suggested Study Strategy

1Construct comprehensive chronological timelines connecting European developments (such as the Reformation, French Revolution, or World Wars) with corresponding events in Croatian history.
2Thoroughly review key Croatian historical documents and charters, including Duke Trpimir's Charter (852), Pope John VIII's letters to Branimir (879), the Baška tablet (c. 1100), the Golden Bull of Gradec (1242), the 1527 Cetin Charter, and the 1868 Croatian-Hungarian Settlement.
3Practice stimulus interpretation by reviewing historical maps of Roman Illyricum, the Military Frontier (Vojna krajina), Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces, Banovina Hrvatska (1939), and operations of the Homeland War.
4Focus heavily on the 20th century (25% blueprint weight), mastering the distinction between the State of SHS and Kingdom of SHS, the 1928 parliament shooting of Stjepan Radić, World War II anti-fascist bodies (ZAVNOH), and key milestones of 1990-1995 independence.
5Analyze 19th-century political ideologies in Croatia, contrasting Ante Starčević's Party of Rights (state-right independence) with Bishop Strossmayer's People's Party (Yugoslavism within a federalized empire).
6Work through official past papers released by NCVVO on ncvvo.hr under exam-like 135-minute timed conditions to hone pacing across all 66 points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure and duration of the Državna matura History exam?

The Državna matura History exam is a single paper-based test lasting 135 minutes with a maximum score of 66 points. It features closed multiple-choice questions, short-answer items, chronological sequence matching, and stimulus-based questions requiring the analysis of historical maps, tables, texts, and political caricatures.

What is the minimum passing score on the History exam?

Under NCVVO grading scales based on the Pravilnik o polaganju državne mature, the passing threshold (ocjena dovoljan 2) is set at 30% of total points, which corresponds to 19.80 out of 66 points. Higher grade boundaries are set at dobar 3 (33.00 points / 50%), vrlo dobar 4 (46.20 points / 70%), and odličan 5 (56.10 points / 85%).

Which chronological domains carry the highest weight on the exam?

The blueprint covers five chronological epochs: Prehistory and Antiquity (15%), Middle Ages (20%), Early Modern Era (20%), Modern Era / 19th Century (20%), and Contemporary / 20th Century (25%). The 20th century represents the largest single segment, with strong focus on World War II, socialist Yugoslavia, the 1991 independence, and the Homeland War.

Who is required to take the Državna matura History exam?

History is an optional elective subject (izborni predmet) on the Croatian state matura. It is chosen by students who need points in history for admission to university study programs such as history, law, political science, sociology, art history, archaeology, and journalism.

What aids or materials are permitted during the examination?

Only a blue or black ballpoint pen is permitted during the exam. Historical atlases, calculators, notes, mobile phones, and smart devices are strictly prohibited in the examination room.

What primary sources and visual items appear on the test?

The exam regularly includes historical source excerpts (such as medieval charters, the Baška tablet text, royal decrees, declarations), political caricatures from 19th- and 20th-century newspapers, battle maps (e.g., Sisak, Mohács, Krbava, Storm), demographic tables, and photographs of historical monuments.

When are the exam sessions held and who pays the exam fees?

The regular summer examination session takes place in June, followed by an autumn retake session in August/September. Regular high school seniors sitting the exam for the first time in the summer session do not pay any fee; adult learners and repeat candidates pay an administrative examination fee per subject established by NCVVO.