More than 68,000 grade 12 students have signed up for a second and final shot at the high stakes national exam next Monday, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport reported. That’s all of the students who failed – and most who failed to show up for – the first round in August.

Thirteen students have been banned from the second round after they were caught trying to cheat, or have someone else cheat for them. Students who passed round one but want a better score are also ineligible.

Students, teachers and the ministry are all hoping August’s dismal results won’t be repeated. Only 25.7 per cent of students nabbed a passing score on the initial test, and even among the passing candidates, many failed at least one of the seven subjects.

Eager to appease anxious parents and anxious universities with seats to fill, the ministry has been plying test-takers with refresher courses and preparatory material to boost scores. “For hard-working students, we have high hopes for their success,” said Ros Salin, Education Ministry spokesman.