Scholarship Examination

The Scholarship Examination (also known as the Grade 5 exam) is a highly competitive Sri Lankan examination first introduced in 1947, conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is optional for students to undertake it during the final year of primary school (Grade 5; usually aged 9–10). Based on the results of the exam, students could transfer to prominent national schools. The exams are held in two mediums: Sinhala and Tamil.

History
The examinations were introduced by the late Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, who took the initiative in establishing free education when he was the Minister of Education. Under this initiative, the government established Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (MMV - Central Colleges) that were scattered around the island. The Scholarship Examination was a means for gifted students from villages to move to better schools with government scholarships.

Boys Schools

 * 1) Royal College, Colombo - 188
 * 2) Dharmaraja College, Kandy - 187
 * 3) Ananda College, Colombo - 186
 * 4) Maliyadeva College - 184
 * 5) Kingswood College - 181
 * 6) Nalanda College - 179
 * 7) Richmond College - 176
 * 8) St. Anne's College - 174
 * 9) Rahula College - 171
 * 10) St. Sylvester's College - 169
 * 11) Mahinda College - 166
 * 12) D. S. Senanayake College - 164
 * 13) Isipathana College - 161
 * 14) Thurstan College - 159
 * 15) Bandaranayake College - 157
 * 16) Vidyartha College - 155
 * 17) St. Aloysius' College - 154
 * 18) Mahanama College - 152
 * 19) Joseph Vaz College - 150
 * 20) Ashoka Vidyalaya - 147

Source: Ministry of Education, 2021

Girls Schools

 * 1) Visakha Vidyalaya - 187
 * 2) Devi Balika Vidyalaya - 185
 * 3) Maliyadeva Girls' College - 183
 * 4) Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya - 181
 * 5) Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya - 180
 * 6) Southlands College - 177
 * 7) Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya - 167
 * 8) Sujatha Vidyalaya - 175
 * 9) Holy Family Convent - 173
 * 10) Anula Vidyalaya - 171
 * 11) Girls' High School - 168
 * 12) St, Paul's Girls School - 167
 * 13) Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya - 165
 * 14) Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala - 163
 * 15) Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda - 161
 * 16) Pushpadana Girls' College - 159
 * 17) Yasodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya - 157
 * 18) Sacred Heart Convent - 155
 * 19) Ferguson High School - 153
 * 20) St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda - 150

Controversies
In recent years the exam has become extremely competitive, therefore many claim that it puts unnecessary pressure on students at an early age. It has been considered as a "parent's" exam rather than a student's. It is necessary to carry out a study on the long-term success of the scholars.

This exam is now being used as a tool for Political leaders in Sri Lanka to neglect the development of rural schools.