Myths about NMT and distance schools: what is true and what is not

Every year, the admission campaign in Ukraine becomes a serious challenge for both graduates and their parents. The focus of attention is always on the National Multisubject Test (NMT), a key stage on the way to the coveted university.

However, a lot of prejudice has arisen in recent years about the format of preparation and the effectiveness of distance learning. Many people still doubt whether online education can prepare students for difficult exams at the same level as traditional lyceums. Let's analyze the most common myths to understand the real state of modern Ukrainian education.

Myth 1: Remote school does not provide a sufficient basis for a high NMT score

Reality: This statement has long been refuted by practice and the results of admission campaigns. A modern Ukrainian online school for students in grades 1-11 builds its curriculum with a clear focus on the practical application of knowledge and in-depth preparation for state exams. Unlike classical schools, where teachers are often forced to spend up to 30% of the lesson on maintaining classroom discipline, in the online format, all the time is spent on intensive teaching.

Proof in numbers: results of NMT-2025

The best answer to any doubts about the quality of distance education is the hard facts and results of official rankings.

According to the results of the NMT 2025, ThinkGlobal online school became the leader among distance learning institutions, demonstrating indicators that are ahead of most full-time lyceums and gymnasiums in the country:

• English language - 1st place among distance schools and an impressive 4th place in the national ranking across Ukraine;
• Math - 1st place among online schools and 21st place among all schools in the country.

These figures prove that online learning is not only as good as face-to-face learning, but is often a more effective tool for getting high scores.

Myth 2: Preparing for the NMT is only possible with tutors

Reality: Tutoring is only one of the ways that requires additional time and money. Leading online schools integrate test preparation directly into the curriculum. Throughout the year, students work with previous years' assignments and take regular tests in conditions as close as possible to the real exam. If the school uses a synchronous learning model, where live lessons with teachers take place in real time, the need for outside specialists usually disappears completely, because all unclear points are sorted out in class.

Myth 3: It is impossible to control knowledge in online classes

Reality: This is one of the most persistent stereotypes, but the reality is just the opposite. In fact, digital platforms give teachers much more tools than a regular paper journal. The teacher sees the time spent on the task, the number of attempts, and specific topics that cause difficulties. This allows them to adjust the training program in time so that the student feels confident by the time they take the exam. Digital analytics makes the assessment process objective and understandable for both the child and the parents.

Myth 4: Distance education is just about watching videos

Reality: High-quality distance education is not an archive of video lectures for self-study, but full-fledged live lessons in real time. It is the synchronous format that helps students better master complex math algorithms, the nuances of foreign language grammar, or historical contexts, which is critical for successful NMT.

Thus, success in NMT depends not on the physical presence of a child in the classroom, but on the quality of educational content and teaching methods. A modern distance school today is a full-fledged intellectual hub that breaks down stereotypes and opens the way to the best universities in the country and the world.

Кирило Бойко