Nine graduates from a physics and mathematics lyceum achieve perfect scores on the national math exam

Cherkasy Physics and Mathematics Lyceum celebrates outstanding exam results

According to Главком: Nine students from the Cherkasy Scientific Physics and Mathematics Lyceum earned the highest possible score of 200 on the mathematics portion of the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). All these graduates were taught by Roman Barvinok, an educator with nearly three decades of teaching experience. Their success stems from a structured training approach that begins as early as the seventh grade. By their senior year, students rework complex problems involving parameters, a key component of their exam preparation.

Roman Barvinok noted that in the 11th grade, students 'essentially rework all the difficult problems, especially those with parameters, which most people fear.'

He also emphasized his commitment to helping every student excel: 'I give my all to the entire class, teaching them thoroughly. Of course, they all want to get 200 points. I told them: your knowledge level is excellent, but after the NMT, only those who score 200 will be talked about.'

Denys Zahorodnii, one of the top-scoring graduates, shared his journey: 'Before entering the physics and mathematics lyceum, I thought I knew math. I came here, saw the problems we had to solve, and realized I didn't know math. Here, they teach you to organize everything step by step. If you start with a mess, the result will be a mess.'

He added that a systematic approach is the key to success: 'For some, the NMT is an enormous challenge. Here, children work systematically starting from the seventh grade. If you do everything diligently, day after day, the expected result follows.'

Proposed legislative changes could alter math exam requirements

Amid these achievements, a bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada that would remove mathematics from the list of mandatory NMT subjects starting in 2027. According to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 11% of Ukrainian citizens believe math was unnecessary after school, while 6% support reducing teaching hours for the subject. KIIS Director General Volodymyr Paniotto reported these findings, highlighting ongoing debates about the role of mathematics in education.

Additionally, a petition has been filed on the Cabinet of Ministers' website calling for the abolition of mandatory NMT testing for students applying to contract-based study programs. Among prospective students, there are also comments that the 2026 NMT was more difficult, which could affect how future students prepare.

The success of the Cherkasy Physics and Mathematics Lyceum graduates underscores the value of a systematic approach to learning, particularly in mathematics-an approach that may be threatened by potential legislative changes. The discussion about removing math as a mandatory NMT subject has raised concerns among educators and parents, as it could impact the quality of mathematical education in Ukraine. It is crucial for society and lawmakers to recognize the importance of mathematical knowledge, not only for individual students but for the country's overall development.

While these remarkable achievements highlight the effectiveness of structured math education, recent developments in legislative proposals could significantly impact future exam requirements. The Education Minister has expressed strong opposition to the idea of eliminating mandatory math from the national exam, emphasizing the importance of mathematics in the educational curriculum. Understanding the ongoing discussions around these proposals can provide valuable context for the achievements of students like those at the Cherkasy Physics and Mathematics Lyceum.