The figure represents an improvement of 4.36 percentage points from last year, when 41.9% of applicants scored below the minimum threshold.
The figures were presented on August 18 by Sardor Rajabov, first deputy minister of higher education, science and innovation, at a press conference in Tashkent, Gazeta.uz reported.
A total of 677,900 applicants registered online for undergraduate admission this year. Entrance tests were held at 64 large-capacity venues across the country, all equipped with video surveillance systems. The examinations were also streamed online for parents.
Following the tests, more than 389,000 applicants qualified to participate in the selection process. In the final results, 209,000 applicants were recommended for admission, including 52,800 on state-funded grants and 156,300 on tuition-based places.
Passing scores rise amid stronger competition
The average passing score for state-funded places rose to 134.6 points this year, compared with 121.8 points in 2025. For tuition-based admission, the average increased to 93.7 points from 84.9 points.
Rajabov said the higher scores reflected stronger competition among applicants.
At the same time, he stressed that raising passing scores was not the main objective of the admission system.
“The main task is to provide quality education to those admitted and prepare them as competitive professionals for the labor market,” he said.
This year’s undergraduate admission quota was set at 201,700 places, 6,400 more than in 2025. The number of state-funded places also increased by more than 36,000, while the number of daytime study places rose significantly.
The admission quotas were determined based on labor-market demand, priority areas of education and the capacity of higher education institutions. Particular attention was given to fields such as information technology and artificial intelligence.
Among the universities, Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan State University of World Languages and the National University of Uzbekistan attracted the largest numbers of applicants.
The most popular fields were medicine, economics, and philology and language teaching, particularly English.
Share scoring below 56.7 points continues to decline
This year, 230,935 applicants, or 37.54%, scored below 56.7 points.
The proportion has fallen steadily in recent years, from 46% in 2023 to 43% in 2024 and 41.9% in 2025.
Rajabov said the continued decline indicated that applicants’ average scores and overall performance were improving.
A total of 20,500 applicants were also recommended for admission under various statutory benefits and preferential admission arrangements.
Applicants who were not recommended for university admission will have other options, including opportunities provided under existing legislation, vocational training at technical colleges and applications to private higher education institutions.
Additional sixth choice planned
The ministry is also planning to give applicants an additional opportunity to choose a sixth field of study.
According to Rajabov, the option is expected to be opened in the coming weeks. Applicants will be able to select a program where vacant places remain, provided the program matches the subject combination they took in the entrance examinations.
