YEREVAN. – The state exams started in Armenia. The number of applicants is extremely low, 1,209 applicants in 2011 compared to 17,655 last year.

This is the result of extension of Armenian school program from 11 to 12 years. Current applicants are students who failed exam last year or who demobilized from the army. The number will increase due to demobilization that will take place in July 2011.

According to the government, there will be 2428 state-funded and 18,500 private sits in Armenian universities in 2011.