The Verkhovna Rada proposes to reduce the NMT to three subjects: what could change for applicants

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is discussing the possibility of revising the format of the national multi-subject test (NMT). Instead of four subjects, applicants are offered to leave three mandatory subjects – Ukrainian language, mathematics and history of Ukraine. The initiative is explained by the need to reduce the educational and psychological burden on graduates in conditions of full-scale war.

This was reported by the head of the Verkhovna Rada subcommittee on higher education Yulia Grishina.

Currently, the national multi-subject test is conducted according to the “3+1” model, which involves taking three mandatory subjects and one at the applicant’s choice.

Yulia Grishina proposed to abandon the fourth subject, leaving the Ukrainian language, mathematics and history of Ukraine. According to her, among the representatives of the parliamentary committee there is support for maintaining mathematics as a mandatory subject, therefore, reducing the number of subjects is possible precisely by canceling the selective part of the testing.

How admission rules may change

If the initiative is supported, applicants will no longer need to take a fourth subject, which they can currently choose according to their future specialty.

In particular, these include such disciplines as biology, chemistry, physics, and a foreign language.

The proposed model actually involves a return to the format of entrance exams that was used in 2022.

At the same time, the changes may affect the mechanism of competitive selection for higher education institutions, since the results of the fourth subject are currently taken into account when entering various specialties.

Why is it proposed to reduce the number of subjects

The parliamentarian explains the need to revise the NMT format by the difficult conditions in which Ukrainian schoolchildren receive education during the war.

Among the main problems are regular air raids, Russian shelling, power outages, studying in shelters, and accumulated educational losses.

According to Yulia Grishina, taking four subjects in one day creates an excessive burden on applicants, especially after sleepless nights due to air traffic alarms.

At the same time, the deputy emphasizes the need to maintain transparency and objectivity of competitive selection to Ukrainian universities.

Has a final decision been made?

Currently, the proposal to reduce the number of subjects in the NMT is under discussion.

Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science and Innovation recommended that the parliament adopt a draft law that provides for the preservation of the current “3+1” model as a basis and in general.

Thus, there is still no final agreement among the people’s deputies on the future format of the entrance testing.

The final decision must be made by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Until the approval of the relevant changes, the current NMT model remains unchanged.

Recall that according to the results of the NMT in 2026, 4,002 participants received the maximum 200 points in at least one subject. In particular, 3,712 entrants achieved the maximum result in one subject, 260 in two, 28 in three, and two participants received 200 points in all four disciplines.