The expert told about the ways to get additional points when entering a higher education institution

When entering a higher education institution, not only exam scores are taken into account, but also the individual achievements of the graduate. In addition, there are other advantages that are provided to different categories of applicants. Alexander Khvostov, director of relations with the educational community of the family educational forum "Entry Navigator" told "Izvestia" on February 16.

He emphasized that every point is important when entering a university, so one should not neglect the opportunities to get them. An applicant can add up to 10 additional points for individual achievements to the total score of the USE. These achievements include diplomas of Olympiads (for example, a winner or prize-winner at the regional stage of the All-Russian Olympiad of Schoolchildren), a certificate with honors, a final essay, and military service.

From 2 to 10 points an applicant can get by successfully passing the GTO norms - it means having a sign of the All-Russian physical culture and sports complex "Ready for Labor and Defense". To take part in the norms, one should apply to an educational institution. At the same time, according to the expert, it should be taken into account that each university independently decides how many and for what achievements to accrue additional points.

"To increase the number of points at admission have the right and volunteer applicants. It is never too late to start volunteering, but before diving into this activity, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the information on the website of the educational institution and clarify the required number of hours of volunteer work and other requirements for obtaining the desired points," - added Khvostov.

The expert specified that some applicants can enter the university without passing entrance exams (BVI). This category includes prize winners and winners of the final stage of the All-Russian Olympiad of schoolchildren, as well as Olympiads from the List of Olympiads of schoolchildren and their levels for the 2024-2025 academic year of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. This list contains all events in which winning or prize-winning provides special admission rights. All of them are divided into three levels, among which the highest is the first.

Schedule of USE in 2025: exam dates, retake days

"The applicant may be granted another special right - accrual of 100 points in the subject of the exam corresponding to the profile of the Olympiad. This benefit is often granted to those who have received a prize-winning diploma of the 2nd or 3rd level of the Olympiad, who did not use the right of the BVI when entering a particular direction or who have a diploma of the Olympiad in a non-core subject of the direction. The right to 100 points can be used more than once," Khvostov pointed out.

In addition, each university has the right to independently determine what right to grant for this or that Olympiad. In specialized sports universities especially appreciate achievements in the field of sports: applicants can enter without entrance tests if they have become winners at all-Russian or international competitions.

"To use the special right of admission will require confirmation by the result of the USE: the minimum score for the relevant subject of the exam should be 75. The university can set a higher bar. In addition, you can use the right to BVI when entering only one program, and enrollment occurs within the priority wave," - said the expert.

According to him, there are two groups of applicants who can count on participation in a separate competition. The competition within a special quota includes orphans, people with disabilities, as well as those suffering from certain diseases. A separate quota is allocated for certain groups of servicemen, participants in a special military operation and their children. Each of the quotas is about 10% of the total number of budgetary places in each of the directions. Admission under the quotas takes place in the first wave.

At the same time, some participants of the general competition may have a preferential right: if two people with equal number of points apply for one place, the one who has this right will have an advantage in the rating.

"Even if it was not possible to enter the budget, you should not despair. In some universities you can get a discount on tuition for individual achievements. Usually such an opportunity is available to medalists and winners of Olympiads, applicants with social benefits, as well as those who lacked a few points for admission to a budget place," - concluded Khvostov.

On January 26, it was reported that Russian universities in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation reported changes in the admission campaign for the 2025/26 academic year. According to TASS, almost all surveyed universities increased the number of budget and paid places. Thus, the number of places for full-time bachelor's, specialist's and master's degree programs at RANEIHS increased by 11%, at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University - by 18%, and at the National Research University Higher School of Economics - by 4.1%. In PFUR, the most budgetary places were allocated in the fields of exact, technical and natural sciences.