In Ukraine, the potential abolition of mandatory mathematics on the NMT is being debated. An alternative bill proposes keeping three compulsory subjects, making mathematics mandatory only for specialized fields.
Mathematics / © pexels.com
An alternative draft law, №15254-1, has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada, suggesting a reduction in the number of mandatory subjects for the National Multisubject Test from four to three. According to the proposal, applicants would need to pass Ukrainian language, history of Ukraine, and one elective subject. Mathematics, meanwhile, would remain compulsory solely for those specialties where it is a core requirement – particularly for technical, engineering, and other fields demanding mathematical proficiency.
The initiative has already sparked a heated discussion on social media, reports TSN.ua.
Following the bill’s appearance, the president of the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofiy Mylovanov, questioned on social media: “Why is mathematics needed at all? Can someone explain clearly?”
In the comments, users began presenting arguments in favor of compulsory mathematics. Notably, they argued that it is necessary not only for future engineers but also for the fundamental ability to verify numbers, think structurally, work with data, and understand technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, and economics.
Discussion on Threads. / © Threads
Vladyslav Greziev, founder and CEO of the Lobby X platform, sharply criticized those supporting the removal of mathematics from the NMT.
“The exclusion of mathematics from the NMT is mainly supported by people who poorly learned mathematics in school,” he wrote.
Tymofiy Briik, rector of the Kyiv School of Economics, pointed out that weak mathematical preparation could limit applicants’ opportunities. According to him, without a decent score in this subject, a student might be unable to enroll in the top faculties of leading Ukrainian universities, including KNU, KPI, Karazin, Franko, KAI, UCU, and KSE.
Responding to users who suggested that those needing mathematics would simply choose it, Briik stated that the risk lies elsewhere.
“It’s more likely the opposite will happen. Young people won’t develop and won’t have incentives to grow in mathematics and engineering. They will either not know, not be motivated, or be intimidated and won’t apply. This won’t be immediately apparent, but gradually, year by year,” he noted.
Social media users also began sharing everyday examples illustrating why basic mathematics is essential for everyone. One user recalled a situation at a coffee shop where the barista did not understand the request to fill a cup “2/3 with water.”
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“At first, we thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t. So, maybe let’s not cancel the mandatory mathematics NMT after all?” she wrote.
A mathematics teacher noted that it’s not about using the entire school curriculum daily, but basic skills are necessary for anyone aiming for higher education.
Threads. / © Threads
Another user shared that she hadn’t reviewed formulas since school but managed to pass the basic score test quickly.
“I graduated 12 years ago. Today, after work and a workout, I sat down to take the NMT. I scored 12 points in 15 minutes. I remembered almost nothing about the formulas; I purely calculated equations and some geometry,” she wrote.
Chess player Andriy Serhiyenko also advocated for a basic level of knowledge assessment.
“Choosing the year of adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine from the options 1173, 1214, 1347, and 1996 is not history. It’s common sense. Calculating the height of two columns is not mathematics. It’s basic competence for any person aspiring to higher education,” he stated.
Conversely, opponents of mandatory mathematics question why this particular subject should remain compulsory for everyone if different fields require different knowledge.
“If you need to pass a math exam to enter aviation, then do so. Who’s stopping you? But for medical school, knowledge of chemistry and biology is needed, not mathematics,” one user noted.
Others emphasize that higher education is not mandatory for everyone, and therefore, applicants should be prepared for university requirements.
“Higher education is not a basic minimum; not everyone needs it. And those who want to study at a higher education institution will work hard for it,” they wrote on Threads.
Threads. / © Threads
A part of the discussion has devolved into a dispute between “humanities” and “technical” specialists. Some users caution that a country at war, developing its military-industrial complex, needs engineers and applied specialists. Others respond that humanities education is also important, but a basic level of mathematics should be universal.
“Sorry, but a humanities person doesn’t equal stupid. I studied at university and work in the humanities field. I know the basic school curriculum,” one user wrote.
The discussion also brought up instances where mathematics might be useful even in humanities or legal professions.
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“I am a lawyer. A humanities person. I don’t like math, but I had to take it. And then, lawsuits for the allocation of property shares in kind appeared in my life, and attempts to calculate the area of a 3/25 share of a house. So, study mathematics, children, don’t be like me,” a user wrote.
Olena Tymoshenko, a communications specialist, highlighted that the controversy surrounding the NMT reveals a misunderstanding of mathematics’ role in education.
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“The discussion about the necessity of the NMT in mathematics only speaks to one thing: a large number of people who have never been involved with the education sector in any way do not understand what PISA is, and why mathematics is the primary discipline for analyzing results there,” she wrote.
For now, it remains an alternative draft law. The Verkhovna Rada will make the final decision on the NMT format. However, the initiative itself has already become a catalyst for a broader discussion – not only about entrance exams but also about the quality of school education, the future of Ukrainian universities, and what skills should be fundamental for graduates.
Additionally, remember that in Kyiv, **a discussion erupted on social media regarding tents** that residents were setting up at metro stations during air raids. Following another massive attack, some people complained about a lack of space in the subway, while certain passengers occupied significant areas with large tents, chairs, and belongings.
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