National Education Quality Studies Planned for 2025-26 Academic Year
Table of Contents
- National Education Quality Studies Planned for 2025-26 Academic Year
- National Education Quality Studies in Russia: Your Questions Answered
- What are the National Education Quality Studies (NICO)?
- What is the purpose of the NICO studies?
- when will the NICO studies take place?
- Who will participate in the NICO studies?
- Will students in the NICO studies also take the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR)?
- What are the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR)?
- When are the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) scheduled?
- What is the difference between NICO and VPR?
MOSCOW – The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Education and Science (rosobrnadzor) is developing plans for national comparative studies of general education quality for the 2025-26 academic year.these studies, known as NICO, aim to evaluate students’ personal, subject-related, and meta-subject achievements in mastering core educational programs. They also assess educational practices and students’ functional literacy levels.
A draft order outlining the participants,schedule,and duration of these studies has been submitted for public discussion,according to documents available on a federal regulatory portal.
Study Details
The national comparative studies are part of a broader framework for evaluating education quality, as approved by the Russian government. Testing is scheduled for Oct. 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2025.
Participants
Rosobrnadzor anticipates participation from students in grades 6, 8, and 10. College students who completed their secondary education the previous year and are enrolled in programs based on general education curricula will also be included, depending on their specific course of study. Students participating in the national comparative studies will be exempt from the all-Russian Verification Works (VPR) during the same academic year.
All-Russian Verification Works (VPR)
Separately, Rosobrnadzor has also drafted an order concerning the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) for the 2025-26 academic year, including a list of subjects to be assessed. These assessments are scheduled to take place between April 10 and May 15, 2026, for students in grades 4-8 and 10, with the exception of those participating in the national comparative studies.
National Education Quality Studies in Russia: Your Questions Answered
What are the National Education Quality Studies (NICO)?
The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) is planning National Comparative Studies of general education quality, known as NICO, for the 2025-26 academic year. These studies aim to assess the quality of education across Russia.
What is the purpose of the NICO studies?
NICO studies in Russia are designed to:
Evaluate students’ personal,subject-related,and meta-subject achievements.
Assess how well students have mastered the core educational programs.
Examine educational practices being used.
Determine the students’ functional literacy levels.
when will the NICO studies take place?
Testing for the national comparative studies is scheduled for October 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2025.
Who will participate in the NICO studies?
Rosobrnadzor anticipates that students in the following grades will participate:
6th Grade
8th Grade
* 10th Grade
Additionally, college students who completed their secondary education the previous year and are enrolled in programs based on general education curricula may also be included. Their participation will depend on their specific course of study.
Will students in the NICO studies also take the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR)?
No. Students participating in the national comparative studies will be exempt from the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) during the same academic year.
What are the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR)?
The All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) are assessments conducted by Rosobrnadzor. They are separate from the NICO studies. An order outlining the subjects to be assessed for the 2025-26 academic year has already been drafted.
When are the All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) scheduled?
The VPR assessments for the 2025-26 academic year are scheduled to take place between April 10 and May 15, 2026, for students in grades 4-8 and 10.
What is the difference between NICO and VPR?
Here’s a swift comparison:
| Feature | National Comparative Studies (NICO) | All-Russian Verification Works (VPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Evaluate general education quality, student achievements, and educational practices. | Assess student knowledge in specific subjects. |
| Grades Involved | 6, 8, 10, and potentially college students. | 4-8, 10 |
| Timeline | October 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2025 | April 10 - May 15, 2026 |
| Exemptions | Students participating are exempt from VPR that same year. | N/A |
