Ukrainians are complaining about the National Commission on State Language Standards: there are no spots available for the exam
26 May 15:17
Ukrainians are complaining about difficulties in registering for the exam to assess their proficiency in the official language. This exam is required for individuals who need to demonstrate their knowledge of Ukrainian in order to perform their job duties. This was reported to our editorial office by readers
According to readers
“The problem is getting a certificate of proficiency in the Ukrainian language. The lines are enormous; after registration opens, all available slots are snapped up within 10–15 minutes. People have to travel to other cities. The website isn’t working,” Ukrainians complain.
Our editorial team checked the situation and was also unable to find available slots for exam registration in several regions.
Editorial staff
The check revealed that the problem is indeed systemic. Journalists attempted to find available slots for the exam in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Lviv, and Zakarpattia regions. However, there were no available slots for registration in any of these regions.
This confirms complaints from readers who report that all slots are snapped up within minutes after registration opens.
As a result, people who need the certificate for work, to participate in competitions, or for job appointments are effectively unable to meet the legal requirement on time.
It is hardest for residents of small towns
The situation is particularly difficult for Ukrainians from small towns and communities. For example, residents of the Cherkasy region can take the exam only in Cherkasy. If there are no available slots in that city, people have to wait for a new registration period to open or look for a way to travel to another region.
For many, this means additional travel expenses, lost work time, and constantly “waiting in line” at the registration site.
In fact, a procedure that should be an accessible administrative service turns into a complicated quest for citizens.
Why this issue matters
The state language exam is not a voluntary formality for many categories of citizens. It is required for people who need to confirm their proficiency in the Ukrainian language to perform their job duties.
This is a requirement stipulated by the Law “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language.” Accordingly, a person may need a certificate to work, participate in a competitive selection process, be appointed to a position, or continue their professional activities.
But if it is impossible to register for the exam, a paradoxical situation arises: the state requires the document but does not provide sufficient access to the procedure for obtaining it.
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Where to take the exam
The exam is not administered online but only at authorized institutions. These are typically higher education institutions designated by the National Commission on State Language Standards to conduct the exam.
It is important to note that it is not possible to take the exam remotely from home. A person must arrive in person at the designated testing site.
This is precisely why a shortage of seats in certain regions creates additional problems for people. If there are no available slots in their city or region, the applicant is forced to either wait or look for a testing site in another region.
How the State Language Exam Works
The exam lasts 60 minutes and consists of written and oral sections.
Exam structure:
- 30 multiple-choice questions in the written section — 30 minutes;
- 1 open-ended question in the written section — writing a text, 20 minutes;
- 1 open-ended task in the oral section — a monologue, 10 minutes.
In other words, the exam itself takes one hour. However, due to scheduling issues, people may spend days or even weeks trying to find an available slot.
The website and the queues: what’s wrong with the registration system
According to readers, the registration process itself causes the most outrage. People report that once new slots open, available spots disappear very quickly.
There are also complaints about the website’s instability. During peak traffic, the system may freeze, fail to display available dates, or prevent users from completing their registration.
Because of this, users are effectively competing with each other for a few available slots. For those who need a certificate urgently, this situation can have serious consequences.
The editorial team asks for an explanation:
- why there are no available slots for taking the exam;
- why slots disappear within 10–15 minutes after registration opens;
- whether the Commission plans to increase the number of slots;
- whether they will expand the network of test centers;
- what Ukrainians who urgently need a certificate but cannot register should do.
The National Commission’s response may clarify whether the problem is temporary or whether there is a systemic shortage of exam slots.
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