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High School Equivalency in Jordan: Complete 2025 Guide

2025-11-14 • 8 min read

High school equivalency in Jordan is a crucial step for students coming from abroad, children of expatriates, or anyone who completed their secondary education outside the Kingdom and wants to pursue university studies in Jordan. This comprehensive 2025 guide explains everything you need to know—requirements, documents, recognition rules, calculation methods, fees, timelines, and expert notes that can save you weeks of confusion.

This guide was created by Wujhatak, the trusted platform that helps students make informed academic decisions.
Visit: https://wujhatak.com/en

## Table of Contents

## What Is High School Equivalency in Jordan?

High school equivalency (or Tawjihi Equivalency) is the official process used by the Jordanian Ministry of Education to evaluate foreign high school diplomas and determine whether they are academically equivalent to the Jordanian Tawjihi certificate.

In simple terms:

If you studied high school outside Jordan, your certificate must be equated (معادلة) before you can apply to Jordanian universities.

This ensures fairness between students from different educational systems and maintains academic standards for admission into bachelor’s degree programs.

## Who Needs Equivalency?

You must apply for high school equivalency if:

  • You completed grades 11 and 12 outside Jordan.
  • You have a foreign curriculum such as:
    • American system (SAT)
    • British system (IGCSE / A-Levels)
    • International Baccalaureate (IB)
    • National certificates from Gulf, Europe, Asia, or Africa
  • You plan to study at a Jordanian university, either public or private.
  • You require official documentation for employment or government procedures.

You do NOT need equivalency if:

  • You completed Jordanian Tawjihi directly.
  • You finished a curriculum taught inside Jordan but under MoE supervision (rare cases).
  • You graduated from a Jordanian school abroad that is licensed to issue Tawjihi.

## Types of Acceptable Certificates (2025)

Jordan accepts a wide range of international high school systems, including:

1. American High School Diploma

Recognized when combined with:

  • SAT I
  • SAT II or AP subjects (depending on major)

2. British System

Accepted levels:

  • IGCSE / O-Levels
  • AS-Levels
  • A-Levels
    Specific subject thresholds apply.

3. International Baccalaureate (IB)

Diploma Programme (DP) is fully recognized under MoE policies.

4. National Systems

Including:

  • Saudi Arabia Secondary Certificate
  • UAE Secondary Certificate
  • Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman
  • European Baccalaureate
  • Asian national boards
  • African national certificates (case-by-case)

5. Home Schooling

Possible but requires additional verification and standardized exam proof.

## General Requirements (2025)

To equate a high school certificate in Jordan, the Ministry requires:

  • Minimum 12 years of formal schooling
  • At least 5 academic subjects from accepted categories
  • Proof your school is licensed and recognized
  • Official transcripts for grades 9–12
  • Standardized tests depending on the system

The Ministry updates these requirements yearly. This guide reflects the latest 2025 rules.

## Required Documents

Below is the full documentation checklist:

Mandatory Documents

  1. Original high school diploma
  2. Transcript for grades 10, 11, and 12
  3. Passport copy
  4. Birth certificate
  5. Proof of residency abroad (for years studied)
  6. School accreditation certificate (if requested)
  7. Test scores depending on the system:
    • SAT I + SAT II / AP
    • A-Level results
    • IB Diploma + subject scores

Optional but Recommended

  • A letter from the school confirming mode of study
  • A grade scale (helps avoid misinterpretation)
  • Equivalency from the country of study (if applicable)

Tip: Ensure all documents are in English or Arabic. If not, submit certified translations.

## How Grades Are Calculated

Jordan uses a percentage-based system. Here’s how some major curricula convert:

American System

  • GPA → converted to percentage
  • SAT II / AP → used to validate academic rigor
  • Some subjects may be counted only once

IGCSE / A-Levels

  • A* = 100%
  • A = 95%
  • B = 85%
  • C = 75%
  • D = 65%
  • E = 55%

At least one A-Level or two AS-Levels are required for scientific majors.

IB Diploma

Each subject is converted based on MoE tables:

  • 7 = 100%
  • 6 = 95%
  • 5 = 85%
  • 4 = minimum acceptable score

Extended Essay & TOK are not part of equivalency.

## Subject Requirements by Major

Jordanian universities require specific subject combinations for each field. Below is a helpful breakdown:

Medicine & Dentistry

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Math
  • English
  • One additional science subject

Engineering

  • Math
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Accepted technical electives

IT & Computer Science

  • Math
  • English
  • Physics or Computer Science

Business & Economics

  • Math
  • English
  • Any 3 academic subjects

Humanities

  • English
  • Arabic (if available)
  • Social Studies subjects

For major comparisons in Jordan, explore:
https://wujhatak.com/en/compare

## Steps to Apply for Equivalency

1. Prepare All Documents

Ensure originals and copies are ready.

2. Visit the Ministry of Education (MoE)

You must apply in person or via an authorized representative.

3. Submit your file

The clerk verifies:

  • Recognition of school
  • Validity of subjects
  • Eligibility according to MoE policy

4. Pay the Fees

5. Wait for Processing

This typically takes 3–10 working days.

6. Receive the Equivalency Letter

You will receive an official document showing:

  • Your percentage
  • Academic stream
  • Approved subjects

This document is required by all universities.

## Fees and Expected Timeline

Fees (estimate for 2025)

  • Equivalency application: 10–20 JOD
  • Additional certification: 5–10 JOD

Timeline

  • Normal processing: 3–10 business days
  • Delays can occur during peak seasons (July–September)

## Common Challenges Students Face

Below are the most common issues we see from students:

1. Missing Documents

Especially grade 10 transcripts or accreditation letters.

2. Wrong Subject Combinations

A classic mistake among students applying for Medicine or Engineering.

3. Low Grades in Key Subjects

Even if overall average is high, a weak science subject may affect major eligibility.

4. Unrecognized Schools

Some private schools abroad lack proper accreditation.

5. Confusion About Grade Conversion

The MoE calculation tables change often.

Pro Tip: Keep digital and physical copies of everything.
Write down your school’s accreditation details in advance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tawjihi equivalency required for private universities?

Yes—every university in Jordan requires the MoE equivalency.

Can I apply online?

As of 2025, most applications are still submitted in person.

Do I need equivalency for foundation programs?

Yes, because admission still requires the MoE average.

Can my parents apply on my behalf?

Yes, with an authorization letter and copies of your documents.

## Helpful Resources

Here are important sections on Wujhatak to help you plan your path:

## When to Seek Expert Help

If you're confused about:

  • Choosing a major
  • Understanding your eligibility
  • Ensuring your certificate meets MoE requirements
  • Comparing universities
  • Calculating actual admission costs

You can always reach out to Wujhatak.

Your academic journey matters — let us simplify it.
Visit: https://wujhatak.com/en/contact

## Final Thoughts

Understanding high school equivalency in Jordan can feel overwhelming, but with the right information, the process becomes clear, structured, and manageable. Whether you're an international student, a parent, or a returning Jordanian, this guide gives you everything you need to avoid mistakes, save time, and start your university journey confidently.

If you want a personalized assessment of your certificate or major, Wujhatak is here to help — every step of the way.

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