They want to make mathematics an elective subject in the NMT: Ukrainians spoke out for changes

The issue of mandatory mathematics during the national multi-subject test remains a topic of public discussion. In the Verkhovna Rada, bill No. 15254-1 has been registered, which provides the possibility to make mathematics an elective subject, but the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Education and Science oppose such changes.

Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stated that currently "there is no possibility" for mathematics to become an elective subject in the NMT. The Ministry of Education and Science holds a similar position as well. They oppose excluding mathematics and Ukrainian history from the list of mandatory subjects, emphasizing that admission to higher education institutions should include verification of applicants' basic knowledge. This was previously stated by the Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi.

Despite this, a petition was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers calling for a review of the approach to conducting the NMT and making mathematics an elective subject for some applicants.

The author of the appeal asks to consider the possibility of canceling the mandatory mathematics exam within the National Multi-Subject Test, as well as the external independent evaluation in mathematics if it is reinstated, starting from 2027.

According to the author of the petition, recent years' practice has shown that mandatory mathematics testing creates a significant burden for many graduates, especially those planning to enter humanities, social sciences, pedagogical, arts, and other specialties where mathematical training is not decisive.

The appeal notes that a significant number of applicants demonstrate a high level of knowledge in Ukrainian language, Ukrainian history, literature, foreign languages, and other profile disciplines but receive lower results due to mathematics. According to the petition author, this negatively affects admission opportunities and does not reflect the real potential of the applicant in the chosen field.

The author also emphasizes that the mandatory nature of mathematics creates unequal conditions for applicants, as the level of mathematical abilities among students varies significantly. They note that even additional classes and preparation do not always allow achieving the required result, and success in testing depends not only on diligence and motivation but also on individual inclinations toward exact sciences.

Separately, petition No. 41/010093-26ep draws attention to the psychological aspect. It is noted that preparation for the mandatory mathematics exam often becomes a source of significant stress, increased anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, which can negatively affect graduates' mental well-being, their learning motivation, and results in other subjects.

At the same time, the author acknowledges that mathematics remains an important component of preparation for technical, natural sciences, economic, and several other specialties. However, in their opinion, for many humanities and creative fields, other competencies and knowledge are decisive, so uniform mathematics requirements for all applicants regardless of the chosen specialty are insufficiently justified.

The petition also states that due to the difficulty of mandatory mathematics testing, some talented graduates choose to study abroad or refuse admission to Ukrainian higher education institutions altogether. According to the author, this may negatively affect the number of applicants, the level of competition, and the quality of the educational environment in domestic universities.

In this regard, it is proposed to give applicants the opportunity to independently choose mathematics as an NMT subject depending on the requirements of the chosen specialty. At the same time, Ukrainian language and Ukrainian history are proposed to remain mandatory for all test participants as disciplines of important social and state-building significance.

As the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper" wrote, due to war risks, the government proposes to change the admission campaign rules and exempt schoolchildren from the state final certification. Since there is a need for legislative regulation of a flexible and safe admission algorithm in 2027, bill No. 15254 "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding State Final Certification and the 2027 Admission Campaign" was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada.

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