OGE 2026: what has changed in exams and how to prepare now

Graduates of Russian schools in 2026 will face the familiar format of the Basic State Exam (OGE), but experts note a number of nuances that are important to consider when preparing for the OGE. The Ministry of Education and the Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements are not planning radical changes in the structure and content of examination materials. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

The main changes of the OGE-2026: the transition to practical skills

The Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements (FIPI) presented updated promising models of the OGE. These changes are part of a consistent transition to new Federal State Educational Standards (FGOS). As Elena Provozen, Director of educational product development at the educational company MAXIMUM, noted in an interview with Izvestia, the structure of exams in most subjects remains the same, but clarifications and adjustments are being introduced in several disciplines.

The main focus of the reform is on a practice-oriented approach and testing the skills of applying knowledge in real-life situations. The purpose of the innovations is not only to evaluate academic knowledge, but also to develop meta-subject competencies. Students will have to demonstrate the ability to work with information, analyze data and argue their position according to new, stricter rules.

The OGE in Russian-2026: a new model and assessment criteria

In the Russian language exam, there have been key changes in the criteria for evaluating detailed answers. The tasks are formulated using a problem question, and in these tasks it is now allowed to make no more than two logical errors without losing a point. In a reasoning essay, when justifying one's own opinion, it is necessary to use only the proposed text for argumentation, and not examples from personal experience, as it was before.

An important change was the abolition of special criteria for checking work in case of shortage of volume.

"Now, without typing the required volume (140 words: 70 words per presentation + 70 words per essay), the student loses points for all literacy criteria," explained Elena Provozen. This tightening of requirements makes compliance with the work format crucial for obtaining a high score.

OGE in mathematics-2026: applied tasks and financial literacy

The key trend in the updated OGE in mathematics was the strengthening of the block of practice-oriented tasks. These exercises simulate situations that students may encounter at home or in their future professional activities. The tasks require not only computational skills, but also the ability to analyze the condition and extract the necessary data from tables, graphs, and diagrams.

The new version of the CIM includes tasks for calculating utility bills, budget planning, reading technical drawings, and interpreting statistical information. Such changes are aimed at demonstrating to students the applied value of mathematical knowledge and improving their financial and household literacy.

OGE in History and Social Studies in 2026: analysis and work with sources

There has been a decisive turn towards analytics in the historical and social science block. The OGE in history has increased the number of assignments based on working with historical sources — maps, chronicles, legislative acts and testimonies of contemporaries. The graduate is required not only to reproduce the date or name, but to analyze the document, establish causal relationships and give his own assessment of the events.

Similar changes have affected social studies. The exam model now includes:

• Tasks for analyzing visual information (cartoons, posters, infographics).

• Issues requiring the application of legal knowledge in simulated situations.

• Tasks for comparing social objects and phenomena, as well as for drawing up detailed response plans on a given topic.

Natural sciences and computer science: precision and new formats

In the OGE in chemistry, important clarifications were made to the condition of task 20. Previously, students could specify substances in free form, but now they should write about them strictly in accordance with the requirements. According to the expert, this does not complicate the task dramatically, but it can lead to a loss of score due to inattention.

The most significant changes occurred in the computer science exam. Starting in 2026, only freely distributed software products, including LibreOffice and OpenOffice, will be used to complete the practical tasks of the second part.

• The answers will need to be saved in a text file format.odt or in the presentation (format .odp), as well as in the .ods format table.

• In task 15, the student will need to write an algorithm for the "Robot" performer, and the answer can be given in the format of the program in which this algorithm is compiled.

Preparation for the OGE-2026: recommendations for students and teachers

The published demos of the OGE 2026 from FIPI are the main guideline for starting systematic training. Students of the 8th and future 9th grades are recommended to develop the skills of functional reading, analyzing information from various sources and constructing logical, detailed answers. Critical thinking is becoming a key skill for successful delivery.

For teachers and tutors, innovations mean the need to adapt curricula.

New evaluation criteria: what the experts will look at

With the change in the assignment format, assessment systems are also being reviewed. The key trend is shifting the focus from information reproduction to the process of its analysis and interpretation. Instead of guessing the correct answer, the student is required to demonstrate the train of thought and the ability to draw conclusions.

So, the Russian language essay will be strictly evaluated:

• The content corresponds to the proposed topic.

• Logical and consistent presentation of thoughts.

• The ability to argue your position.

• Compliance with grammatical, speech, and spelling standards.

In practical tasks in mathematics and natural science subjects, points will be awarded not only for the final result, but also for the correct solution method, as well as for the proper design of the work.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.