Unified State Exam


The Unified State Exam is a series of mandatory, centralized examinations conducted across the Russian Federation in secondary educational institutions, such as schools, lyceums, and gymnasiums. It serves as a form of State Final Certification for educational programs of secondary general education. The USE simultaneously acts as both a school graduation examination and an entrance examination for higher education institutions, ensuring that students meet standardized educational requirements. The USE in Russian language and mathematics is obligatory; that means that every student must achieve the necessary results in these subjects to enter any Russian university or obtain a high school diploma.
Prior to 2013 it also served as an entrance examination for secondary vocational education institutions. However, a new education law annulled this provision. The exam employs standardized tasks and unified evaluation methods across Russia. Since 2009, the USE has been the only form of high school graduation exam and the primary form of university entrance exam. Students are allowed to retake the USE in subsequent years if necessary, providing them with additional opportunities to improve their scores and qualifications.

History

The USE was introduced in Russia in 2001 first as an educational experiment, initially held in a few regions of Russia: Chuvashia, Mari El, Yakutia, as well as in Samara, and Rostov Oblasts, covering eight subjects. The first experimental examination was only held by the eight general classes. In 2002 this experiment expanded to 16 regions of Russia, and further to 47 regions in 2003. By 2006, approximately 950,000 school graduates from 79 regions participated in the USE, and in 2008, over one million students took the exam. Initially, the list of subjects varied by region.
The list of schools and classes to take part in the USE in 2001–2008 was determined by local public education authorities in the regions of Russia. Presently, the USE is administered by the Ministry of Education and Science together with the regional and local public education authorities.
The USE's development was led by Vladimir Filippov, while its implementation was overseen by Vladimir Khlebnikov. The Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science organizes the exam in collaboration with regional education authorities.

Subjects offered

The USE is conducted in the following subjects:
Russian language and mathematics are mandatory for all students.
A student must select basic or advanced mathematics and a minimum of 2 other subjects.

Structure and Content

The USE's tasks are known as Control and Measuring Materials, developed by the Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements. These tasks have evolved over time:

Previous Format

  • Part A: Multiple-choice questions.
  • Part B: Short-answer questions requiring brief responses, such as words or numbers.
  • Part C: Open-ended questions, such as problem-solving, essay writing, or argumentation, evaluated by regional examiners.

    Current Format

Since the 2015/2016 academic year, multiple-choice questions have been removed from all subjects. Tasks now focus on short answers and detailed responses.
Part I contains tasks in which the student must give a short written answer, usually consisting of several letters or numbers.
Part II contains one or more tasks requiring the student to use creativity. Depending on the subject, tasks can include mathematical exercises, essays or questions requiring argumentative responses. Unlike part I, which is computer corrected, part II is evaluated by subject matter experts from the regional examination committee.
While the initial grading may differ between subjects, a standardized 100-point scale is used for both graduation and university application purposes. The structure and content of KIMs are governed by three documents approved annually by Rosobrnadzor: the content codifier, exam specifications, and a demonstration version of the exam.
The table provides the duration of exams, the number of tasks, and the maximum primary score for the 2024 USE. It also includes the minimum number of points, which is determined in test points.
SubjectDuration
Part 1 TasksPart 2 TasksMaximum
Primary
Score		Minimum Test
Score for
Diploma/University
admission		Minimum Test Score for Admission to Ministry of Education Supervised Universities
Russian language2102615024/3640
Mathematics 180210217 Not considered for university admission
Mathematics 235127322740
Physics235206453639
Chemistry210286563639
Computer science235260294046
Biology235217573640
History210129423236
Geography180218383740
English language190+17366822230
German language190+17366822230
French language190+17366822230
Spanish language190+17366822230
Social studies210169584245
Literature23565483240

Mathematics levels

Since 2015 the mathematics exam has been divided into two levels:
  • Basic Level: Required for students not pursuing higher education or applying to universities where mathematics is not a subject of admission.
  • Advanced Level: Required for students applying to universities where mathematics is a key subject in the entrance exams.

    Examination Periods and Dates

The Unified State Exam follows a structured schedule each year, consisting of multiple periods to accommodate different student needs. A proof of valid reasons, such as illness or other circumstances, is required for eligibility in special testing periods. However, the absolute majority of students take their exams during the main period. The key examination periods include:
  • Early Period – Reserved for Olympiad participants, athletes, and other students who are unable to attend the main session.
  • Main Period – The primary examination window for all high school graduates.
  • Additional Testing Days – Available for students who miss their exams due to illness, valid personal circumstances, or overlapping elective exam dates.
  • Retake Period – Provides students with an opportunity to improve their scores or meet the minimum requirements for university admission.
  • Supplementary Period – Intended for students who did not pass the mandatory exams required for a high school diploma.
Below is the specific schedule for the 2026 examination period.
PeriodDates Eligible Participants
Early PeriodMarch 20 – April 20, 2026Olympiad winners, athletes, and students unable to attend the main period for valid reasons.
Main PeriodJune 1 – July 9, 2026All high school graduates.
Additional Testing DaysJune 22 – 25, 2026Students who missed exams due to illness, other valid circumstances, or scheduling conflicts.
Retake PeriodJuly 8 – 9, 2026Students retaking exams to improve scores or fulfill diploma/university admission requirements.
Supplementary PeriodSeptember 4 – 25, 2026Students retaking mandatory exams for high school diploma requirements.

Paper forms

The Unified State Exam uses standardized forms to record students' responses. These forms must be completed according to strict guidelines to ensure accurate processing and evaluation. All answer sheets must be filled out using a black gel pen.
The forms include:
  • Registration Form: Used to register participants.
  • Answer Sheet No. 1: Records responses for Part 1 tasks.
  • Answer Sheet No. 2: Used for detailed responses in Part 2 tasks. Additional sheets are provided if needed.

    Structure and Filling Instructions

To ensure clarity and consistency, all forms must adhere to the following instructions:
  • Strict Formatting: When completing the forms, students must follow the specified character format as shown at the top of each sheet. Each letter, digit, or symbol should be written in a separate box. Writing multiple symbols in one box is not allowed.

    Registration Form

The Registration Form is used to register participants for the exam. The following information must be filled out:
  • Region Code, Educational Institution Code, Class, Exam Center Code, and Room Number.
  • Subject Code, Subject Name, and Exam Date.
  • The participant must sign within the designated rectangular box.
Students must write their Last Name, First Name, and Patronymic in uppercase block letters, placing one letter per square box. The series and number of the identification document are recorded in designated boxes at the top of the sheet.