This study on secondary education in the Soviet Union examines characteristics of the various kinds of secondary schools--general secondary education, secondary education, secondary specialized education, and vocational education--and aspects of the Soviet examination system. The first section on general secondary education provides information such as objectives; organization; marking and examination systems; enrollment; problems; basic curriculum; alternative programs; subject matter reform; teacher training; educational administration; and research in secondary education. Next, an overview of secondary specialized education, the training of specialized technicians or professional support personnel in a wide range of specialties, includes information on objectives, funding, entrance requirements, specialty fields of study, enrollment, terminology used to describe differences in Soviet Schools, courses of study, graduation requirements, teacher training, and administration and research in secondary specialized education. A third section focusing on vocational education presents an overview of purpose, traditional vocational skills, teacher training, administration, and research in vocational education. The final section is devoted to the final examination in Soviet secondary schools. Appendices making up nearly half of the publication provide the text of general instructions and questions for secondary school final examinations. Tables showing the 10-year curriculum in Russian and Ukrainian general secondary schools, the all-year curriculum in Estonian general secondary schools, and sample one-, two-, and three-year vocational school curriculums are provided where appropriate. (LH)