NMT-2026 may become a two-day event: what awaits applicants

In the new year 2026, changes to the format of the National Multi-Subject Test may occur. The director of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment, Tetyana Vakulenko, spoke about the possible implementation of two-day testing. This information was revealed in an interview with the magazine 'Nova Ukrainian School'.

Tetyana Vakulenko emphasized the importance of adapting the testing to new requirements. The transition to a two-day format may lead to certain risks, including longer trials for applicants.

“Perhaps we will switch to a two-day model of test-taking, but we must be aware of the possible risks. For applicants, this could be challenging, as the testing time will be 4 hours,” Tetyana Vakulenko explained.

Regardless of the test format, the director of the UCEQA assured that their content will remain unchanged.

Tetyana Vakulenko urged graduates to prepare for possible changes in testing in 2026. She stressed the need to start preparing and making appropriate changes to the internal processes of the Assessment Center.

“We need to make a decision by the end of September and start the preparatory process, which will require many further approvals and adjustments of the internal digital processes of the Assessment Center,” Vakulenko added.

The Ministry of Education and Science is exploring the possibility of introducing a “zero course” for applicants who did not pass the NMT. The possibility of reducing the cost of admission to higher educational institutions through a possible winter admissions campaign is also being considered.

In 2026, possible changes to the format of the National Multi-Subject Test may affect the preparation of applicants and the conditions for admission to higher educational institutions.