Preparing for the 2026 National Multi-Subject Test in a wartime environment raises numerous questions among applicants regarding the level of difficulty of the tasks, how to pass the test, and the most effective preparation methods. High school students preparing for the test often encounter various rumors and myths about testing, which can cause unnecessary stress and misunderstandings regarding the level of difficulty of the tasks. Among such myths, the most common are the claims that the demonstration test options are too easy and do not reflect the real complexity of the main session, and that the multitest tasks can allegedly be unexpectedly difficult.
Clarification of the UCEQA regarding the demonstration options
The Head of the Ukrainian Center for Education Quality Assessment (UCEQA), Tetyana Vakulenko, said that the demonstration tests include tasks from previous years and reflect all the typical formats and structures that the participant will encounter during the main session.
“You can see that in terms of complexity they do not differ from the demonstration ones. That is, all those myths, legends about the fact that in the demonstration options you are given the opportunity to work with very simple options, and you come to the test – and it will be terribly difficult, you will see that this is not confirmed,” – Vakulenko emphasized.
According to her, the myths about the extreme ease of the demonstration options are not confirmed by practice, since the tasks demonstrate the real level of complexity of the tests and allow applicants to familiarize themselves with their logic and structure without the risk of unexpected difficulties. Thus, the demo versions serve as a tool for planning preparation, and are not a “simplified version”, as participants often believe.
In addition, the official emphasized the importance of practicing passing the test in conditions that are as close to real as possible. The main difference between the demo test on the VSCO platform is the lack of a timer, but you can set it yourself to practice time management skills and perception of tasks under pressure. This approach allows you to prepare for the real session without worrying about potentially more difficult questions.
Vakulenko advises that when preparing for the test, pay attention not only to mastering the material, but also to developing a strategy for passing the tasks. In particular, it is important to determine how to use reference materials, which subject to start the block with — Ukrainian language or mathematics — and how to organize the transition between subjects within one block.
Vakulenko noted that preparing for the NMT requires not only knowledge of the subject material, but also an understanding of how to optimally organize the test. Developing test-taking tactics, time management training, and working with demonstration tasks allow the applicant to increase the efficiency of task completion and reduce the level of stress during the real session.
Main details of the NMT-2026
According to Vakulenko, this year’s testing includes four subjects: Ukrainian language, mathematics, and history of Ukraine are mandatory, and the fourth subject is chosen by the applicant from a list that includes a foreign language, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, or Ukrainian literature. The main session will be held from May 20 to June 25, the additional one from July 17 to 24.
The test is conducted over one day in two stages of 120 minutes each, with a 20-minute break between them. This organization allows you to restore concentration between blocks and more effectively distribute resources for completing tasks in different subjects.
Currently, agreements have been concluded to conduct testing in 31 countries, which creates conditions for participants who are abroad to take the NMT in official conditions. This fact emphasizes the international recognition of the Ukrainian assessment system and opens up new opportunities for applicants living outside Ukraine.
According to Vakulenko, successful passing of the test largely depends on systematic preparation and a conscious approach to the process. The use of demonstration tests to familiarize yourself with the task formats, work out a time allocation strategy, practice transitions between subjects, and simulate timing create conditions for the most effective demonstration of knowledge during the main session. Thus, applicants can reduce their anxiety level, confidently assess their own strengths, and complete the task within the allotted time.
