600 punti sotto le bombe: adolescente del test di ingresso della National University di Frontline Town Aces

16-year-old Sofia Avramenko, who scored a perfect 200 points in three subjects on the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). She studied six to seven hours a day, sometimes to the sound of explosions.

Translator’s Note – The National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) — or НМТ (Національний мультипредметний тест) in Ukrainian — is a standardized university entrance exam introduced in Ukraine as a temporary replacement for the traditional External Independent Testing (ZNO) during the war.

Sofia says even she was surprised by the results. She earned 200 points each in biology, math, and Ukrainian language, and 197 in history.

“At first, I thought maybe there was a mistake with the scores. I double-checked them a bit”

Sofia is a recent graduate from Sloviansk in Donetsk region. She says she prepared thoroughly with the help of her teachers and a self-made study plan – dedicating up to seven hours a day.

“I knew I wanted to get into medical school, so doing well on the exams really mattered. I had a clear goal,” she says.

She admits she prefers studying at night, so the shelling of Sloviansk sometimes made things difficult.

“The attacks definitely affected me. There were times I’d sit in a hallway or basement until 2 a.m., and it was really hard to wake up in the morning. Or I’d hear drones overhead, or shooting or explosions nearby – I’d grab my books or laptop and move to a safer spot, and keep studying for another two or three hours.” 

Her mother, Nadiia, says she always believed in her daughter and admired her drive:

“We kept telling her, ‘Sonia, even if you don’t get in this year, or the next, it’s okay. Your score doesn’t define who you are. You’re doing this because you want to – always remember that,’” her mother shared.

Sofia plans to enroll in medical school and become a doctor. She hasn’t chosen her specialization yet.

[https://suspilne.media/donbas/1058377-obstrili-vplivali-ak-vipusknica-zi-slovanska-zmogla-otrimati-najvisi-bali-na-nmt-ta-kudi-bude-vstupati/](https://suspilne.media/donbas/1058377-obstrili-vplivali-ak-vipusknica-zi-slovanska-zmogla-otrimati-najvisi-bali-na-nmt-ta-kudi-bude-vstupati/)

Talk about performing under pressure. This young lady is awesome. May her future be bright.