120
Total number of tasks
For non-creative programs. For creative programs: 30 UNT tasks + 2 creative exams at the university.
Updated with official NTC data
All about UNT
Key rules and figures for university applicants in Kazakhstan: test structure, subjects, passing thresholds, timelines, and process details.
Key test metrics
140
Maximum score
5
Subjects
120
Test tasks
240
Minutes for test
50-65
Base threshold
What is UNT?
Unified National Testing (UNT) is the admission exam format for entering higher and (or) postgraduate education institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
UNT is conducted 4 times a year
For full-term admission: 3 mandatory subjects and 2 profile subjects
For non-creative programs: 120 tasks, 140 points, 240 minutes
UNT certificate is valid until December 31 of the testing year
Format and scoring
Exam Structure
UNT parameters for full-term, non-creative programs
240 min
Duration
4 hours to complete the test.
140
Maximum score
For non-creative programs. For creative tracks with two university creative exams: up to 130 points.
50-65
Base threshold
50 for other universities, 65 for national universities. For Pedagogical Sciences and Law: 75, for Healthcare: 70.
UNT Subjects
Mandatory subjects (3)
Mandatory
History of Kazakhstan
20 tasks, up to 20 points.
Mandatory
Mathematical Literacy
10 tasks, up to 10 points.
Mandatory
Reading Literacy
10 tasks, up to 10 points.
Profile subjects (choose 2)
CoursesMathematics
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Physics
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Biology
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Chemistry
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Geography
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
World History
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Computer Science
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Foreign Language
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points. International certificates may be counted.
Basics of Law
Profile subject: 40 tasks, up to 50 points.
Kazakh/Russian Language and Literature
Profile combination for selected groups of educational programs.
Base threshold
Thresholds and Admission
According to the official NTC format, base thresholds are: 65 for national universities and 50 for other universities. Increased thresholds: Pedagogical Sciences and Law — 75, Healthcare — 70. For selected fields in national universities, Agriculture/Bioresources and Veterinary — 50. You must score at least 5 in History of Kazakhstan and each profile subject, and at least 3 in Mathematical Literacy and Reading Literacy.
Category/fieldThresholdNote
National universities
Base threshold
National universities65Base threshold
Other universities
Base threshold
Other universities50Base threshold
Pedagogical Sciences
Increased threshold
Pedagogical Sciences75Increased threshold
Healthcare
Increased threshold
Healthcare70Increased threshold
Law
Increased threshold
Law75Increased threshold
Agriculture/Bioresources, Veterinary
For national universities
Agriculture/Bioresources, Veterinary50For national universities
Registration and Testing Windows
Dec 20-30 / Jan 10 - Feb 10
Winter session (paid admission)
Registration via app.testcenter.kz, then testing in January-February.
Feb 15-25 / Mar 1 - Apr 6
Spring session (paid admission)
Additional window for specific categories applying on a paid basis.
Apr 10-25 / May 10 - Jul 10
Main UNT session
Period used for the state grant competition and paid admission.
Jul 25 - Aug 5 / Aug 10-20
Summer session (paid admission)
Late session for applicants entering on a paid basis.
Year-round
Payment and personal account
UNT fee is 5640 KZT. Payment is made within 1 hour after submitting the online application (Kaspi QR or bank card).
Frequently Asked Questions
UNT is held 4 times per year. The main window for the grant competition is May 10 to July 10; other sessions are mainly for specific paid-admission categories.
Registration is done through the personal account at app.testcenter.kz. Main and additional sessions have separate registration windows published by NTC.
Technical appeals are submitted during testing. Content-based appeals are submitted immediately after finishing the test at the test center with a mandatory justification. If you choose “Finish without appeal”, you cannot submit an appeal later.
The certificate is available in app.testcenter.kz, on certificate.testcenter.kz, and in eGov mobile. Authenticity is verified by QR code / certificate website. The certificate is valid until December 31 of the testing year.
Phones, smartwatches, cheat sheets, paper, and other communication devices are prohibited. Calculator and reference tables are available in the testing interface; during the main session (May 10-Jul 10), chemistry tables are also provided in paper form.
Yes, under NTC rules: TOEFL/IELTS may count for English, and score conversions are defined for SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level, and KAZTEST (B1+) according to official conversion scales.
Prepare for UNT with Kursa Academy
Preparation aligned with NTC format: theory, task-structure practice, practice tests, and targeted error analysis by subject.