The entrance exam for Uzbekistan's Presidential Schools (grade 5 in the 2026/2027 intake) has two written stages. Stage 1 is maths: 30 questions in 60 minutes. Stage 2 is Thinking Skills (Problem Solving 24 + Critical Thinking 16, 40 questions, 90 minutes) and English (40 questions, 40 minutes). Stage 2 is scored out of 100: Thinking Skills 80, English 20. The tests were developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and admission is run by the Agency of Specialised Educational Institutions (PIIMA).
Who can apply
- The 2026/2027 intake was for grade 5 only: pupils who have finished grade 4.
- Requirement: a year grade of "5" (excellent) in maths and natural science in grade 4.
- Applications are online (my.gov.uz, ariza.piima.uz). In 2026 the window was 25 May - 14 June; check next year's dates on the official site.
Both stages in one table
Stages 1 and 2 are held on different days. Each right answer is 1 point and wrong answers lose nothing.
| Stage | Subject / section | Questions | Options | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Maths | 30 | 5 (A-E) | 60 minutes | 30 raw, converted to a 100 scale |
| Stage 2 | Thinking Skills | 40 | 4 (A-D) | 90 minutes | score × 2 = 80 |
| Stage 2 | English | 40 | 3 (A-C) | 40 minutes | score ÷ 2 = 20 |
| Stage 2 total | 80 | 130 minutes | 100 |
Stage 1: maths
- Topics: number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data and probability - mostly grade 4 material.
- Questions get harder from 1 to 30: the last 10 are the hardest.
- The score is converted to a 100-point scale with Rasch analysis. The top 480 candidates from each region go on to stage 2.
- On a tie, questions 21-30 are compared first, then 11-20, then 1-10; after that the younger candidate goes ahead.
Stage 2: Thinking Skills
This section tests thinking, not subject knowledge. The questions fall into two groups, with roughly equal numbers from each category.
| Group | Category | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Solving (24) | Identifying Similarity | Recognising the same information in different forms: rotation, reflection |
| Problem Solving | Finding Procedures | Finding a way to solve the problem |
| Problem Solving | Relevant Selection | Picking the data you need from a table or chart |
| Critical Thinking (16) | Evaluating Evidence | Whether evidence supports a claim |
| Critical Thinking | Evaluating Reasoning | "Who is right?": only A, only B, both or neither |
| Critical Thinking | Identifying Mistakes, Logical Analysis | Spotting the flaw in an argument, drawing a logical conclusion |
Stage 2: English
The English test is at CEFR A1-A2 (a few questions at pre-A1 and B1), 8 parts of 5 questions, covering grammar and reading.
| Questions | Task | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Short notices and messages | Main meaning |
| 6-10 | Word from a definition | Vocabulary |
| 11-15 | Short dialogues: choose the right reply | Appropriate response |
| 16-20 | Gaps in sentences on one topic | Vocabulary and grammar |
| 21-25 | Gaps in a short popular-science text | Vocabulary and grammar |
| 26-30 | Long text (about 250-270 words) + 5 questions | Detail, main idea |
| 31-35 | 3 short texts on one topic | Scanning, detail |
| 36-40 | Long text (about 250-270 words) + 5 questions | Detail, main idea |
Scoring and selection
- In stage 2, the Thinking Skills score is doubled (40 questions → 80 points) and English is halved (40 questions → 20 points). Total: 100.
- So one Thinking Skills question is worth as much as 4 English questions. Plan your preparation time accordingly.
- The 24 pupils with the highest scores in each region are admitted.
- On a tie: Thinking Skills, then Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, English Reading and Grammar are compared; then the younger candidate.
Exam rules and language
- Calculators, phones and dictionaries are not allowed.
- Answers go on a separate answer sheet, with no extra time to fill it in.
- Maths and Thinking Skills can be taken in Uzbek, Karakalpak or English; the English test is in English.
- Wrong answers lose no points, so never leave a question blank.
How the Trylab practice paper is built
On Trylab each paper puts both written stages in one place: maths (30 questions, 60 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 questions, 90 minutes) and English (40 questions, 40 minutes), each section with its own timer. Scoring follows the official rules: maths /30, stage 2 = Thinking Skills /80 + English /20. The questions were written for Trylab from the 2026 Cambridge specifications and are not official questions. Rasch equating is not reproduced, so the score shown is a raw score, an estimate - enough to find your weak section. Every question comes with an explanation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there an interview? The official 2026 format lists only written test stages.
- How is stage 1 scored? 30 questions at 1 point each; the result is converted to a 100 scale by Rasch analysis.
- How much does English matter? It gives 20 of the 100 stage-2 points; the main share (80) is Thinking Skills.
- Where is the official information? piima.uz and gov.uz/oz/ima, where the exam specifications and dates are published.
