← Back to the blog · June 5, 2026

Free exams in Chile: a complete guide for families

If your child studies in an educational project like Open Montessori, in homeschool or in a free school, free exams are the official way to validate their studies before the Ministry of Education (Mineduc) in Chile. Here we explain everything you need to know: what they are, who can take them, how to register, the 2026 deadlines and how we prepare for them at OM.

What are free exams?

They are assessments organized by Mineduc that allow students who do not attend a state-recognized school to officially validate their primary and secondary education. Upon passing them, the child obtains the official certification for the corresponding level, exactly as if they had studied in a traditional establishment. This allows them to continue their educational path and even access higher education.

Who can take free exams?

According to Mineduc, minors under 18 can register if they:

• Have not undertaken regular studies or have interrupted them.
• Have studied in educational establishments not recognized by the State (such as free schools, homeschool, educational projects like Open Montessori, etc.).
• Are foreigners residing in Chile, or Chileans returning from a country without a study-validation agreement.
• Are enrolled in a special education school and wish to complete their schooling in secondary education.
• Minors with Special Educational Needs (SEN) can also take the exams.

Important: to determine the grade the minor registers for, their age as of March 31 and their educational path (last grade passed and years without schooling) are considered.

How to register? Step by step

Registration must be carried out exclusively by the minor's father, mother or legal guardian. Registration by institutions is not allowed (neither free schools, nor homeschool, nor educational projects).

There are two ways to register:

1. Online (web): complete the official form at inscripcionexameneslibres.mineduc.cl.
2. In person: go to the regional or provincial Ayuda Mineduc office corresponding to your commune of residence, with the registration form printed and signed.

Required documents

When registering, you must attach (via web or at the office):

• Identity card of the father, mother or legal guardian (valid, both sides).
• Birth certificate of the child or young person (for all procedures, showing the names of both parents, issued no more than 3 months ago).
• If a legal guardian: documentation proving personal care or legal guardianship (public deed, court ruling, etc.).
• The minor does not need to present the previous studies certificate; it is enough to verify that it is available online at certificados.mineduc.cl or by calling 600 600 2626.

2026 Calendar — Minors under 18

Keep in mind: there are no cancellations of the examination process nor second chances in case of failure. You can only register again in another period, provided there are dates and slots available.

Where to check results and download certificates?

Results are published on the Mineduc website on the indicated dates. If the minor has a Chilean RUN, the certificate can be downloaded at certificados.mineduc.cl. If they have an IPE (Provisional School Identifier), it must be requested in person at an Ayuda Mineduc office.

If you are not satisfied with the results, you have 3 business days from the delivery of results to submit a review request to the examining establishment.

Useful official links

• Registration form for minors under 18
• ChileAtiende — Free exams for minors under 18
• Ayuda Mineduc — Free exams for minors under 18
• EPJA Mineduc — Registration and exam dates
• Download study certificates
• Ayuda Mineduc call center: 600 600 2626

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How do we prepare for free exams at Open Montessori?

At OM, preparation for free exams is an integral part of the school year, not a separate process. Our Guides work on the national curriculum content in a way that is aligned and meaningful with the Montessori methodology. In addition:

• We run mock exams so that children arrive confident and stress-free on exam day.
• We support families throughout the entire administrative process: registration, deadlines, documents and communication with Mineduc.
• Our psychologist for families provides emotional support before and after the exams.
• We prepare specific review material for the assessed subjects, complementing Montessori teaching with the formats they will find on the exam.
• We provide EducaXD, our own educational platform with the national curriculums (CV) integrated, where students can practice with unlimited free-exam-style questions generated from the same topics and content that Mineduc will assess.

Practice with EducaXD: free exam simulator

One of the most valuable tools we make available to our families is EducaXD, a learning platform created by Open Montessori, safe and designed especially for children.

In EducaXD, students access the national curriculum content organized by level and subject, and can generate unlimited practice questions that simulate the real format and topics of the free exams. This allows them to:

• Get familiar with the type of questions they will face on exam day.
• Identify the areas where they need to reinforce and practice more.
• Gain confidence by taking simulations as many times as they need, without pressure.

In addition, parents and family members can monitor the child's progress, keeping track of which topics they practice and how they advance in each subject. All in a digital environment that is safe, ad-free and child-appropriate.

Our results

100% of OM students who have taken free exams have passed them. This reflects the academic strength of our project and the trust it generates in families. Our students don't just pass: they arrive prepared, calm and self-confident.

Would you like to know more about how study validation works at OM? Schedule your presentation or write to us on WhatsApp.