Ukrainian Parliament Summons Exam Chief After 13-Hour Testing Ordeal in Odesa

Extended Testing Hours Due to Air Raid Alarms

According to Главком: In the Odesa region, candidates taking the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) spent nearly 13 hours at the examination center due to prolonged air raid warnings. Although they were offered the option to reschedule for a supplementary session, the applicants chose to complete the test on the same day. Under current regulations, if the total duration of air raid alerts during the exam exceeds 2.5 hours, testing for that shift must be halted.

What Happened During the 2026 NMT Session

On June 8, hundreds of graduates in Odesa Oblast took the 2026 NMT amid continuous sirens. According to Tetiana Vakulenko, all participants who remained for the assessment after that threshold were those who had been offered a spot in the additional session but declined. Vakulenko also noted that the official in charge of the testing site, together with the regional center, has the authority to forcibly stop the process if circumstances demand it.

Vakulenko specifically emphasized that examination centers are not required to provide meals for participants. Before the test, applicants are advised to bring water and a snack for a 20-minute break, and parents independently delivered water and food to the shelters.

“In reality, it is a huge effort by the staff of temporary examination centers when they work for such an extended period at the request of participants. We would like to have a time limit, but we understand that this would severely restrict the rights of applicants.”

– Tetiana Vakulenko

Earlier, following the incident in Odesa, the Verkhovna Rada summoned Tetiana Vakulenko to provide a report. The situation sparked outrage and concern among test takers and their parents, who witnessed the lengthy delay.

This episode highlights the challenges of organizing exams under martial law, where participant safety is the top priority. The response from educational institutions and state authorities to disruptions caused by alarms is also critical, as it affects applicants' psychological well-being and readiness for testing. The availability of alternatives, such as supplementary sessions, helps preserve the right to education even in crisis conditions.

The recent testing ordeal in Odesa has raised significant concerns about the impact of air raid alerts on educational assessments in Ukraine. For a deeper understanding of how these challenges unfolded during the exam, you can read more about the disruption caused by the 13-hour air raid that affected many candidates and their families.