6+ and 1-) and it is also common to use grades such as 5/6 or 4/3 indicating borderline grades. However, the grades students get on their final diploma are either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Examinations At the conclusion of their school careers, upper secondary pupils aspire to graduate with a diploma. This is obtained by those who have passed all their subjects, and lists grades which are “based on teachers’ determination of overall achievement marks of their own students.” As well as these teacher-assigned grades, the students’ diplomas may feature one or more examination grades. A minority of students will be chosen at random to sit an exam; a concept which is called trekkfag in Norwegian. In English, fag means subject, whilst the verb å trekke can be translated as to draw or to pick, as one would describe picking a card from a pack. The dictionary translation of trekkfag is given as a description of the concept: “subjects students may be chosen to sit an exam for.” Academic Schedule in Norway Academic Year in Norway In Norway's school, there are two semesters. The new academic year begins in the middle of August. The first semester begins in August and it ends in December. The second semester begins in January and it ends in June. Breaks In Norway's school, there are several long vacations. For example, after the academic year ends in June, students in Norway have summer vacation which is eight weeks (From the middle of June until the middle of August). They also have Christmas Holidays after the first semester ends in December until the second semester begins in January. In addition, in the last week of October, pupils in primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools have the fall break, with another one-week long break (the winter break) in the middle of February. Students at universities or university colleges typically do not have the fall and winter breaks. National Holidays In Norway, there are thirteen national holidays that students do not have to go to school. In the middle of April, there are four days of Easter break. Norway celebrates the International Workers' Day on May 1st and its Constitution Day on May 17th. Furthermore, Norway also celebrates Ascension Day in May, with the exact date depending on the each year. 10 days after Ascension Day, the country celebrates Pentecost, and Whit Monday the