The Unified State Exam (Russian: Единый государственный экзамен, ЕГЭ, Yedinyy gosudarstvennyy ekzamen, YeGE) 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 (GIA) 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 (sredniye spetsial’nyye uchebnyye zavedeniya, or SSUZy). 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 Mathematics (basic) Mathematics (advanced) Foreign languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese) Physics Chemistry Biology Geography Literature History Social studies Computer science. Russian language and mathematics are mandatory for all students. A student must select basic or advanced mathematics and a minimum of 2 other subjects (1 if taking advanced mathematics).
Structure and Content The USE's tasks are known as Control and Measuring Materials (Kontrol’no-Izmerytel’nyye Materialy, KIMs), developed by the Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements. These tasks have evolved over time:
Previous Format Part A: Multiple-choice questions (choose one answer from four options). 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 (Part A) have been removed from all subjects. Tasks now focus on short answers (Part I) and detailed responses (Part II). 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 (the lower boundary of a satisfactory grade), which is determined in test points.
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 (USE) 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 (March – April) – Reserved for Olympiad participants, athletes, and other students who are unable to attend the main session. Main Period (Late May – June) – 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 (July) – Provides students with an opportunity to improve their scores or meet the minimum requirements for university admission. Supplementary Period (September) – 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.
Paper forms The Unified State Exam (USE) 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:
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