Last year the admission campaign had solid novelties. Two Centralized Exams and one Centralized Testing for school graduates instead of the casual Centralized Tests. This format shall carry over to the upcoming admission campaign.

Minister of Education Andrei Ivanets, while being on an official interview during “Panorama” news program on “Belarus 1” national channel, spoke about 2024 admission campaign and novelties for targeted students and medal awardees.

It was noted, that all novelties tried last year shall carry over with no exception.

“Of course, there are issues needed to be corrected. Last year Centralized Exam took place on Sunday and it caused questions among teachers and students. That is the reason why we end this academic year on May 25, as rooted in tradition. All graduates will have all the necessary amount of knowledge required to pass the two CE’s with flying colors on May 27 and 30th”, Minister believes.

Mr. Ivanets also said that the Ministry received questions from the public about same level of difficulty for the major tests. “We are up to the most important requirement, that is just, equal, unified and clear terms of holding the two tests”. Notes the Minister.

Targeted-students had a novelty last year – an oral exam, this novelty carries over as well. The only question relevant is - How well prepared are the would-be targeted applicants? That is why this year we set a lower threshold of the average graduation certificate score of 7 points with the most required specialties of the economy being an exception. Minister believes that this year the number of targeted-students will soar.

Particular emphasis was put on the aim of the education system to prepare highly qualified specialties for the need of the state’s economy. Traditionally, a list of specialties most in demand in the economy is compiled. These include specialties in the agro-industrial complex, a number of engineering, engineering and technical specialties, and some pedagogical specialties.

“Of course, the education system today is primarily focused on training qualified personnel for the needs of the economy of our country. That is why conditions are created for such specialists that attract more people. This year, I would like to note that for the first time, children who are medalists or holders of honors diplomas and college graduates will be able to enter all specialties from the list of those most in demand in the economy without passing exams. Moreover, such children will be able to enter regional universities without exams in almost all specialties. We once again confirm the paradigm “strong regions – strong country,” the Minister noted.

The head of the department also focused on innovations for gifted youth. Previously, winners of republican Olympiads could apply outside the competition. Now there are preferential conditions for students of specialized classes.

By the way, in the last admission campaign there were already certain benefits for admission for graduates of pedagogical, agricultural, physical education and military-patriotic specialized classes.

“Currently, the Government has the authority to determine the list of specialized classes that will have benefits for admission to Belarusian universities. This list will be approved in the very near future, but compared to last year, it will not undergo any changes,” Andrei Ivanets informed.

The program also announced on-air that in 2023 engineering classes were launched in Belarus for the first time.

“These guys will only be finishing the tenth grade this year, but next year they will have the opportunity to enter engineering specialties with very high academic performance, namely, the average certificate score is no lower than 8 and grades in specialized subjects are no lower than 9 points (a very high level). They will have the opportunity to be admitted only by the results of the interview,” the Minister said.