Discussions surrounding the potential abolition of the Unified State Exam (EGE) in Russia persist, even as new regulations related to university admissions and secondary education are being implemented. A bill proposing the replacement of the EGE with state exams in individual subjects was previously submitted to the State Duma but was ultimately rejected.

Oleg Smolin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education, notes that the influence of the EGE is expanding despite ongoing conversations about its abolishment.

Recently passed laws impact higher education admissions. Individuals with secondary vocational education can only enter a university without the EGE if they studied in a related field. Furthermore, an experiment has commenced in select regions, including Moscow, where student selection for the 10th grade will be determined by results from the Main State Exam (OGE).

A law restricting admission to paid study places in universities is also under consideration, with the average EGE score of applicants serving as a criterion for universities to offer paid admission.

Yana Lantratova, First Deputy Chairman of the Education Committee, revealed that the State Duma is considering abolishing the OGE as well. The aim is to alleviate the “enormous psychological pressure on students.” Lantratova emphasized the need to reform the current system, stating that the certification process, intended to assess knowledge, has created several significant issues.