---
title: "62% of first-year students are satisfied with NMT scores, but every fourth did not get into their dream university or desired specialty — KSE survey"
description: "According to a KSE Institute survey, 62% of first-year students are satisfied with their NMT scores, but every fourth could not enroll simultaneously in their desired specialty and dream university."
date: 2026-10-19T14:53:18.273Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kse-survey-62-percent-students-satisfied-nmt
tags: [nmt, university-admissions, kse-institute, education, scholarships]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# 62% of first-year students are satisfied with NMT scores, but every fourth did not get into their dream university or desired specialty — KSE survey

![Female student with backpack and test results reading documents in front of the university entrance](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/19/opros-kse-62-pervokursnikov-dovolny-balami-nmt/opros-kse-62-pervokursnikov-dovolny-balami-nmt-1.webp)

## Key Points

- 62% of first-year students are satisfied with NMT scores, 76% enrolled in their desired specialty at their desired university.
- About 24% did not combine both wishes: 14% — desired specialty at another university, 6% — desired university in another specialty, 4% — changed both.
- Lowest satisfaction is in math and foreign language, highest in geography and Ukrainian literature.
- KSE Institute survey: 3,700 respondents, two stages from February to mid-May 2026.

The KSE Institute has published the results of a survey of first-year students regarding their satisfaction with the scores of the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). The study, reported by RBC-Ukraine, covered 3,700 respondents and was conducted in two stages from February to mid-May 2026. Therefore, the results refer to last year's admission campaign, following which the respondents became first-year students.

### Majority satisfied, but a quarter missed the target

Based on the test results, 62% of first-year students stated that they were satisfied with their scores. For 76% of respondents, the NMT results allowed them to enroll simultaneously in their desired specialty and desired university. At the same time, almost every fourth student — about a quarter of the participants — could not combine both wishes: the desired study program and the dream educational institution.

### Breakdown by admission scenarios

The survey shows how the "mismatches" were distributed. 14% of first-year students enrolled in their desired specialty but at a different university. Another 6% ended up in their desired educational institution, but in a different specialty. Finally, 4% changed both their specialty and university due to the NMT results. In total, these groups account for about 24% — those who missed their exact target.

### Math and foreign language are the most "unsatisfactory"

The level of satisfaction with scores varied noticeably depending on the subject. Participants gave the highest ratings to the results in geography and Ukrainian literature. The lowest ratings went to mathematics and foreign language: it was these disciplines that most often caused disappointment among first-year students.

### Context: scholarships and in-demand specialties

Recall that earlier we talked about which specialties became the most popular among applicants in 2026. In addition, starting September 1, scholarships in universities and colleges doubled, making the issue of successful admission and the NMT score level even more significant for students.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Каждый четвертый не поступил в желаемый вуз или на желаемую специальность: опрос о НМТ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/kozhen-chetvertiy-potrapiv-bazhaniy-vish-1792418665.html) - All figures (62%, 76%, 14%, 6%, 4%, 3,700 respondents, period February–mid-May 2026, subject breakdown) are taken from the RBC-Ukraine primary source citing the KSE Institute survey; there are no contradictions with other sources.

## FAQ

### How many first-year students are satisfied with NMT scores?

According to the KSE Institute survey, 62% of surveyed first-year students are satisfied with their scores.

### What share of students did not get where they wanted?

About a quarter (approx. 24%): 14% enrolled in the desired specialty at another university, 6% in the desired university in another specialty, 4% changed both specialty and university.

### Which subjects caused the least satisfaction among first-year students?

The lowest satisfaction is in math and foreign language; the highest is in geography and Ukrainian literature.

### How was the survey conducted?

The KSE Institute survey covered 3,700 people and was conducted in two stages from February to mid-May 2026; it reflects the results of last year's admission campaign.