Kazakhstanis took to the social network Threads to criticize yet another reform of the Unified National Testing (UNT). According to them, schoolchildren and university applicants barely have time to adapt to the current system before the authorities introduce a new one, the website infohub.kz reports.

According to the author of the post, the endless reforms mean constant stress and uncertainty for students. Schoolchildren cannot prepare properly because the rules change every year.

"In the end, instead of knowledge, children and parents get only burnout, anxiety and financial bondage," the author wrote.

Users in the comments also said they did not understand how schoolchildren could keep up with everything amid the regular reforms, and noted that preparing for the test takes far too much effort and money.

"How are we supposed to manage it all? If even the ordinary UNT gives us enormous stress?" one commenter noted.

"And we also have to spend more money on courses, because school doesn't teach us this," the author added.

Another group of users believes that the constant changes to the Unified National Testing also affect students' parents.

"Every minister tries to come up with some new pet idea. And because of that our education is limping along. And students are all stressed out, along with their parents," one user fumed.

Recall that the new UNT (Admission Insight Test) will include questions assessing critical thinking, communication skills and AI literacy. The test will consist of two parts:

subject tests — in 14 specialized subjects. The tasks are being updated in line with the state standard, with the emphasis shifting from simple reproduction of information to a deeper understanding of the material;

a skills test — five modules aimed at assessing academic writing, research skills, quantitative and digital literacy, as well as creative and design thinking.

In April 2026, the National Testing Center (NTC) and ETS conducted a study involving about 4,000 respondents, organized eight focus groups and four in-depth discussions in Astana. Universities, teachers and other participants in the education system are being involved in the development.

The next stage will be piloting the AIT, planned for spring 2027.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote that from 2027 Kazakhstan will gradually introduce a test that will become an alternative to the UNT. The Unified National Testing will be retained until most applicants begin choosing the new format.