Shift in applicant preferences for the 2026 NMT
For the first time, geography has become the most popular elective subject among applicants for the 2026 National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT), overtaking English, which previously held that position. This change in student subject choices has sparked discussion among educators. The announcement was made by Tetiana Vakulenko, director of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA).
Structure of the 2026 NMT
The 2026 NMT consists of three mandatory subjects and one elective. The compulsory subjects remain Ukrainian language, mathematics, and history of Ukraine. The elective subjects available to applicants are:
- geography
- English
- biology
- physics
- chemistry
- German
- French
- Spanish
During registration for the 2026 NMT, geography and English were initially tied for first place.
A significant number of graduates from previous years are choosing geography, as noted by Tetiana Vakulenko:
“I find this difficult to explain. I should note that the share of graduates from previous years taking the assessment has increased, and a significant number of them are choosing geography.” - Tetiana Vakulenko
This trend highlights a shift in subject selection among applicants, which could influence educational patterns.
Candidates are given 240 minutes to complete the entire NMT, with testing split into two two-hour sessions. The NMT is the successor to the External Independent Evaluation (EIE), which was fully operational starting in 2008. The Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA) is responsible for developing and administering the test.
The change in subject choices for the 2026 NMT reflects evolving learning trends and student interests. The growing preference for geography as an elective may indicate rising popularity of this field among young people, potentially leading to adjustments in curricula and teaching methods. Monitoring these shifts will allow educators to tailor courses to match applicant preferences in the coming years.
The evolving trends in subject selection for the upcoming NMT not only highlight a growing interest in geography but also raise questions about the overall structure and challenges of the exam itself. For a deeper understanding of how the 2026 test is shaping up to be a true test of endurance for candidates, explore more in our detailed analysis of the 2026 Multi-Subject Test.