Gudrun Fahlman-Jernryd, 86, from Lund, is the oldest participant in the 100th college entrance exam held on October 19, 2025. Over 70,000 people took part at more than 100 locations across Sweden. She prepared with Netflix and card games and feels no nerves.
The 100th college entrance exam took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with over 70,000 registered participants at more than 100 locations across Sweden. Among them, pensioner Gudrun Fahlman-Jernryd, 86, from Lund stood out as the oldest. She has taken the exam three times before, most recently in autumn 2024 and spring 2025, but was not satisfied with the results despite months of preparation with math and crosswords.
This time, Gudrun has not prepared intensively. 'I feel really energetic and strong and have stepped up my training. And I play cards and do some volunteer work. But this time I haven't prepared at all, so now I think it will go much better,' she says. She did a couple of math tests recently but chose to relax with novels and Netflix instead. Her goal is to score 1.5.
The exam is being held at Hedda Anderssongymnasiet in Lund. Gudrun bought sticky sandwiches at Willys for lunch. 'I'm not nervous. However, I'm old and I get tired,' she explains. She loves competing and is good at words, language, and math.
Afterward, she plans to celebrate at the Italian restaurant Stäket in Lund with a latte and semifreddo. This will be her last exam. 'This is absolutely the last time I take it because I think I'm senile. And I don't want it confirmed that I am,' she says laughing. Her advice to other participants: 'There's only one thing that matters, and that's to be well prepared.'
The exam included the word section with questions on word comprehension, such as synonyms and meanings, for example, 'lägga band på sig' meaning to control oneself.