A debate has erupted in the Ukrainian educational space regarding the format of entrance exams. The Minister of Education and Science, Okсен Lisovoy, has strongly commented on the initiative by a group of People's Deputies to exclude mathematics from the list of mandatory subjects in the National Multisubject Test (NMT).
According to information obtained by journalists, the head of the ministry is categorically opposed to the alternative draft law, which proposes transforming mathematics into an elective subject. Lisovoy called such an initiative absurd, noting that it would not benefit the country.
Why Mathematics Remains Mandatory
The ministry's main argument is based on the basic competencies of graduates. According to Lisovoy, the NMT must confirm the key abilities of applicants: to read, write, and calculate. This is why mathematics must remain an integral part of the exam structure.
The Minister emphasized that the Cabinet of Ministers has already prepared and submitted its own draft law to parliament regulating the conditions of the admission campaign. The document, concerning admission in 2027, preserves the current rules operating in 2026. The government does not support the alternative version of the deputies, which implies changing the status of mathematics.
Details of the Deputy Initiative
The controversial draft law No. 15254-1 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on June 2, 2026. The initiative by a group of People's Deputies provides for amendments to the laws on state final certification and the admission campaign. The authors of the document propose reducing the number of mandatory subjects in the Universal Multisubject Test (UMT) to two: the Ukrainian language and the history of Ukraine. Mathematics is proposed as an elective subject in their version.
Current Situation and Statistics
This year, the NMT is conducted according to last year's model: the exam is taken in one day with the possibility of passing additional sessions. The list of mandatory subjects remains unchanged: applicants take the Ukrainian language, mathematics, and the history of Ukraine. The fourth subject is chosen by the student from a list: foreign language, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, or Ukrainian literature.
Experts also support the mandatory nature of the mathematics block. The Director of the UTSO, Tatyana Vakulenko, noted that the results of mathematics testing are a significant indicator of the success of future students and an important tool for mastering academic programs.
Interest in testing in the country is growing: more than 350,000 people registered for the NMT this year. This is already the third year in a row when the number of people wishing to take the test has increased.