Eleventh-graders who took the advanced level of the Unified State Exam (EGE) in mathematics on Tuesday, May 27th, are expressing widespread concern over the difficulty of the exam. Many students and teachers believe the tasks were significantly harder than those encountered during preparation, raising fears about lower scores and reduced opportunities for university admission.

Graduates report that the tasks were unlike anything they had previously encountered, with some describing them as being more appropriate for first-year technical university students. Students also cited incomprehensible question formulations and a mismatch between the exam content and the school curriculum.

The situation has led to widespread anxiety and panic among students, with many fearing they will not achieve the scores needed to enter their desired universities. Some students who consistently scored high on practice tests are now worried about failing to meet the minimum passing score.

A mathematics teacher corroborated the students’ concerns, stating that the tasks were too difficult and beyond the scope of the school curriculum. She also highlighted the immense stress students face during the exam, which can further impact their performance.

While some officials claim the exam difficulty is consistent across regions and aligned with the curriculum, many students remain unconvinced. The Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) declined to comment on the specific difficulty of this year’s exam until the papers have been checked.

The controversy has sparked debate about the fairness and appropriateness of the EGE, with some calling for a return to previous assessment methods. Students are worried about the impact of potentially low scores on their future educational and career opportunities.