More than 350,000 applicants have officially registered for the National Multi-subject Test (NMT) in 2026, marking a steady and encouraging increase in the numbers compared to previous years. According to Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, in an interview with Radio Svoboda, this surge reflects a growing trust in the national higher education system, despite the ongoing challenges brought by the full-scale war.
The demographic analysis of the registered participants reveals a diverse pool of applicants. Around 250,000 of them are current school graduates, while over 100,000 are individuals who completed their secondary education in previous years. This substantial volume of adult applicants indicates a strong societal shift toward lifelong learning and professional retraining. Demonstrating this trend, the oldest registered participant for the NMT this year is 73 years old. Furthermore, approximately 30,000 registrations came from Ukrainian citizens currently living abroad who intend to apply to Ukrainian universities.
Despite fears of a massive brain drain, the ministry notes that the outflow of potential students to foreign institutions has not reached critical levels. While traditional interest in studying in neighboring countries like Poland and Slovakia remains high, Ukrainian universities are successfully retaining academic talent. A significant surge in student enrollment is particularly visible in the central and western regions of Ukraine, where universities can offer safer, offline educational environments. Cities such as Lviv, Uzhhorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, and Zhytomyr have reported a substantial growth in their student bodies.
The 2026 NMT will adhere to the established model, designed to minimize stress for students. The test will be administered in a single day, comprising three compulsory subjects—Ukrainian Language, Mathematics, and History of Ukraine—and one elective subject chosen by the applicant. The main testing window is scheduled from May 20 to June 25, followed by an additional session from July 17 to July 24.
This high level of registration for the national test is more than just a statistical achievement. It represents a powerful demonstration of resilience and forward-looking determination by Ukrainian youth, who continue to choose local academic paths to build the future of their country.