Mother of top-scoring NMT student reveals nearly $2,500 spent on tutors

The cost of preparing for Ukraine's National Multi-Subject Test

According to Главком: Oksana Klak, whose daughter Sofia Klak graduated from Lviv Lyceum No. 81 named after Petro Sahaidachny, shared the expenses incurred while preparing for the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). Sofia achieved the highest possible score, earning 200 points in three subjects. According to Oksana, annual tutoring costs reached up to $2,500.

How the student prepared for the exam

Sofia took the NMT in mathematics, history, English, and Ukrainian. She attended one-on-one sessions for math, while history and English were studied in group classes. Ukrainian language instruction was provided by her mother, Oksana Klak, who holds a degree in philology. Oksana noted that tutoring prices vary by region, but even in her area, these costs are not affordable for every family given average local salaries.

“Prices for tutors can differ depending on the region. Our region is not among the most expensive for tutoring, but clearly not everyone can afford it given the average salary here. Overall, for the year, all tutors for the three subjects cost us up to $2.5 thousand.”

Oksana Klak

She also pointed out that “in our case, a big advantage was that Sofia generally did well in school.”

The NMT serves as the primary entrance exam for higher education institutions in Ukraine, succeeding the External Independent Evaluation (ZNO), which was introduced in 2008. The Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA) is responsible for its development and implementation.

This case highlights how substantial spending on private tutoring can shape students' opportunities when preparing for critical exams. Amid economic inequality, access to quality education and tutoring services becomes a key factor in test performance, underscoring the challenges many Ukrainian families face. As the NMT is a relatively new assessment format, ensuring fair conditions for all participants-regardless of their financial background-remains an important priority.

As the story of Oksana Klak and her daughter Sofia illustrates, the financial burden of tutoring can significantly impact students' academic journeys. In contrast, another Lviv graduate recently achieved a perfect score on the National Test, sharing insightful tips on her preparation methods. Discover the strategies that contributed to her success in mastering the National Multi-Subject Test.