The aim of this dissertation was to get to the root of the problem of vocational education of the Republic of Croatia in the form of final exams in Croatian language at the state graduation exam. A survey was conducted within the three groups of subjects which are comprised of senior year students of secondary vocational schools, teachers of Croatian language in secondary vocational schools and students who graduated from vocational secondary school and passed state graduation exam. The research results showed that the students of vocational schools have a major issue with differences in curriculum compared to grammar schools, especially in the field of literature, and short period of preparation which is causing them stress. Teachers put in a lot of effort to ensure their students were better prepared for state graduation exam, and point out they are satisfied with current results of Croatian language exam. They consider their students not sufficiently interested, but still larger number of the surveyed teachers maintains additional classes. Students who have passed the state matura are satisfied with the module of matura, and mostly, with a bit of preparation, enrolled at university which was their priority on the wish list.