How to Reschedule the National Multi-Subject Test
A clear procedure has been established for graduates who feel unprepared for the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) because of air raid alerts, shelling, exhaustion, or lack of sleep. These students are allowed to move their exam to an additional session. The test organizers have outlined specific steps to help applicants take the exam under more favorable conditions. It is important to note that stressful circumstances will not affect test scores.
Tetiana Vakulenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment, stated that participants have the option to skip the assessment if it was preceded by prolonged air raid alerts and heavy shelling. To reschedule, applicants must submit a request to the regional educational quality assessment center on the day of the test or within the following two days.
'The key point is that some individuals were in relative safety even during intense shelling, while others were not. That is why participants have the option to skip the assessment.' — Tetiana Vakulenko
Procedure for Rescheduling the Exam
Rescheduling is possible even if the applicant has already arrived at the testing center but later feels unwell due to fatigue or lack of sleep. During the test, a participant can raise their hand, leave the exam unfinished, and submit a request to join the additional session.
'Even if someone came to the test after shelling and then felt unwell from exhaustion or sleep deprivation, they can simply raise their hand during the exam and leave without completing it.' — Tetiana Vakulenko
It is also important to note that no adjustments will be made to test results based on security factors. 'Unfortunately, it is impossible to account for different circumstances in the final score itself,' she emphasized. However, during the admissions process, regional coefficients apply, which are higher for universities located near active combat zones. This helps somewhat compensate for disadvantages through the calculation of an applicant's competitive score.
The current NMT is based on the External Independent Evaluation (ZNO) programs approved in 2018-2019. Graduates have expressed concerns about the specific nature of the questions and the high psychological pressure during the exam. Among applicants, there are also comments that the NMT-2026 has become more difficult than in previous years. The development, verification, and preparation of test tasks for the NMT remains a labor-intensive process.
These changes in the assessment system are significant given the current realities in Ukraine, where security factors greatly affect the educational process. Allowing exam rescheduling helps graduates adapt to changing conditions and reduces stress during testing. This also demonstrates the readiness of educational institutions to respond to the challenges students face during wartime.
As graduates navigate the challenges surrounding the National Multi-Subject Test, it's essential to recognize the ongoing concerns regarding the exam's difficulty. Recent discussions highlight that complaints about the NMT-2026 are not unprecedented, reflecting a broader trend in the testing landscape. For more insights into these recurring issues, you can explore the details in our article on the annual complaints about NMT difficulty.