The admission campaign to institutions of professional higher education is in full swing in Ukraine. For applicants dreaming of obtaining an in-demand profession, the selection system has undergone significant changes. Traditional oral exams and creative competitions are no longer the only path to enrollment: applicants now have the opportunity to replace them with results from the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT), and certain categories of candidates can count on a maximum score without additional trials.
Competitive Score Calculation Mechanics
The key indicator for allocating places on a state-funded or contract basis is the competitive score. This is a comprehensive assessment calculated with precision to the unit, strictly in accordance with the Admission Procedure and the internal rules of the specific educational institution. It is based on this indicator that the final selection of applicants takes place.
The calculation formula depends on the level of education the applicant has: a graduate of the 9th or 11th grade, or a person with a worker qualification. In general terms, the formula looks like CS = TC or IC, where the results of the creative competition or oral interview are taken into account.
When undergoing an individual interview or creative competition, which are conducted in one stage, one positive grade is awarded on a scale from 100 to 200 points. The grading step is one point. In case of failure, a decision is made regarding a negative grade — "unsatisfactory".
NMT as an Alternative to Interviews
An important innovation is the right of applicants to use the results of the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) instead of undergoing an individual interview. Applicants can submit test results conducted in 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026.
In this case, the competitive score is determined as the average score of NMT subjects increased by 25%. At the same time, a strict limit is set: the final score cannot exceed 200 points. This innovation significantly simplifies the admission procedure for those who successfully passed the testing, eliminating the need to undergo additional oral trials.
Who Gets Automatic 200 Points
There is a category of applicants to whom the maximum score of 200 points is credited automatically, without participation in competitive trials. This right belongs to persons who are members of Ukraine's national teams and have participated in international olympiads (in accordance with orders of the Ministry of Education and Science).
Automatic credit of points is also granted to participants of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Deaflympic Games. The decision to grant such an advantage is made upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Motivation Letters and Originality Control
In addition to entrance exams or tests, educational institutions may require applicants to submit a motivation letter. Requirements for such texts are approved by the heads of admission commissions and must be published on the official websites of the colleges.
To ensure the integrity of the process, universities conduct checks of motivation letters for text originality. The results of such checks are available in the public domain for the Commissioner for the Prevention and Detection of Corruption.
Storage of Examination Materials
To ensure the transparency of the admission procedure, materials of entrance examinations, including video recordings of interviews and creative competitions, must be stored for at least one year. After this period expires, the materials are destroyed with the mandatory preparation of a corresponding act.
Experts note that the most in-demand specialties in colleges remain auto mechanics, agricultural machinery mechanics, tractor drivers, and welders. Admission to institutions of professional higher education in 2026 will take place mainly based on the results of creative competitions or interviews, however, 11th-grade graduates will retain the opportunity to replace these trials with NMT results.
