03.08.2026 · 5 min
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The NMT 2026 threshold scores are up: what it means for you.
In 2025, 11.7% of NMT participants failed to clear the threshold score in mathematics (UCEQA, 2025). That means every ninth applicant received only 100 competitive score points for that subject. For 2026 the UCEQA has raised the thresholds in two compulsory subjects: Ukrainian language and history of Ukraine. The rest of the thresholds are unchanged.
TL;DR: The NMT 2026 threshold scores went up in two subjects: Ukrainian language — 8 out of 45 (was 7), history of Ukraine — 9 out of 54 (was 8). Mathematics and the elective subjects are unchanged. Anyone who fails to clear the threshold gets only 100 competitive score points (UCEQA, 2026). Prepare for every subject, even the “easy” one.
The threshold score is the minimum number of test points you need to score for your NMT result to count in full. According to the UCEQA (webinar of 4 March 2026), threshold scores are reviewed every year on the basis of the difficulty of the tasks and the results of previous years.
If you score below the threshold in even one subject, your result in it converts into 100 competitive score points. That is the lowest possible score. The other subjects are counted normally, but your overall competitive score drops substantially.
Why is that critical? Because the difference between 100 and even 120 competitive score points in a single subject can cost you a state-funded place. Especially in specialties with high competition: IT, law, medicine. Every point counts.
Want to understand exactly how the competitive score is calculated? Read the .
The UCEQA has raised the thresholds in two compulsory subjects: Ukrainian language went from 7 to 8 points out of 45, and history of Ukraine from 8 to 9 points out of 54 (, webinar of 4 March 2026). Mathematics and all the elective subjects stayed at their 2025 level.
A rise of one point may look insignificant. But for poorly prepared participants it is a real filter. Especially in history, where 54 tasks have to fit into a share of the block’s overall time.
Not sure which elective subject to take? Here is a comparison of the NMT 2026 elective subjects.
In 2025 the most “failures” were recorded in mathematics: 11.7% of participants did not score even 5 points out of 36 (UCEQA, 2025). Physics also proved difficult — 10.3% failed to clear the threshold. In geography, by contrast, only 0.07% failed.
These figures show a clear pattern: the exact sciences are the riskiest. If you have chosen physics as your elective subject, its preparation deserves separate attention. Mathematics, meanwhile, is compulsory for everyone, so ignoring it is not an option.
An important nuance: the 2025 statistics still refer to the previous thresholds. With the history threshold raised in 2026, the share of those who fail to clear it in that subject may grow.
If a participant fails to clear the threshold in even one subject, they get exactly 100 competitive score points for that subject (Ministry of Education and Science, 2026 Admission Procedure). That is the bottom of the scale. All the other subjects convert normally — from 100 to 200 points according to the test score.
How does that work in practice? Suppose you scored 4 points in mathematics (the threshold is 5). Your competitive score for mathematics automatically becomes 100. Even if you got 180 in every other subject, your overall competitive score sags.
The minimum competitive score for applying to a state-funded place is 130 for most specialties. For medicine, law and dentistry that threshold is higher — 150 points (Ministry of Education and Science, 2026). So failing the threshold in even one subject can effectively close the state-funded route to you.
Calculate your competitive score under different scenarios to see how the threshold affects the result.
According to UCEQA statistics, 88.3% of NMT 2025 participants successfully cleared the threshold in mathematics — the hardest subject (UCEQA, 2025). That means the threshold really is clearable with systematic preparation. The key is not to ignore a single subject.
Work out where your level is lowest. If mathematics is the problem, start with the basic topics: fractions, percentages, first-degree equations. A threshold of 5 out of 36 is under 14% of the answers correct. Even a basic grasp of the topic gives you enough points.
Practice testing is the most effective way to prepare. It shows your real level rather than your imagined one. Pay attention to the format of the tasks: single choice, matching, open answers.
Try the — they follow the structure of the real exam.
With the threshold raised to 9 points out of 54, this subject needs more attention. Focus on the key periods: Kyivan Rus, the Cossack era, the twentieth century. Chronology and cause-and-effect links are the basis of most of the tasks.
Not registered for the NMT yet? Here is a .
You get 100 competitive score points for that subject. Your results in the other subjects are counted normally. Your overall competitive score, however, drops considerably, which reduces your chances of a state-funded place. In 2025, 11.7% of participants failed to clear the threshold in mathematics (UCEQA, 2025).
Yes. There is an additional NMT session you can register for separately. NMT 2025 results also remain valid for admission in 2026 — you can submit the better result of the two years (UCEQA, 2026).
The UCEQA adjusts the thresholds every year on the basis of an analysis of the results and the difficulty of the tasks. In 2025 the share of those who failed to clear the threshold in these subjects was low, which gave grounds for raising the requirements (UCEQA, webinar of 4 March 2026).
The minimum threshold is 130 competitive score points for most specialties. For medicine, dentistry and law it is 150 points (Ministry of Education and Science, 2026 Admission Procedure). But the actual cut-off scores are usually considerably higher.
The NMT 2026 threshold scores went up in two subjects: Ukrainian language (8 instead of 7) and history of Ukraine (9 instead of 8). Mathematics and the elective subjects are unchanged. The main rule: anyone who fails to clear the threshold gets 100 competitive score points and effectively loses their chances of a state-funded place.
What to do next:
Abitly is a platform that helps applicants make well-founded decisions based on data. We analyze the official UCEQA and Ministry statistics so that you can focus on preparing rather than on hunting for information.
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