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Russians believe manipulations with results of Unified State Exam are commonplace

The Unified State Exam was introduced in 2009 following amendments of the Russian Law on Education

MOSCOW, June 27 (Itar-Tass) - An all-Russian center for the study of public opinion known as VTSIOM on Thursday published results of the latest public opinion poll on the Unified State Exam. The survey revealed that half of respondents considered fraud related to the Unified State Exam a common practice compared to one third who believe that such cases are separate.

Thirty-nine percent of respondents, predominantly residents of small towns and villages, believe that manipulations with results of the Unified State Exams are just isolated cases. Muscovites and residents of St. Petersburg (39%) also share this view.

Sixty-three or sixty-four percent of residents of major cities and mid-sized towns believe that l fraud related to the Unified State Exams is commonplace.

Most respondents found it hard to answer how to improve the procedure of the Unified State Exams. Fifty-six percent hesitated to give any answer, while 17 percent suggested returning to the previous examination system. Others called for tighter control over how the exams are taken (7%); six percent suggest improving the methodology of teaching and five percent said that teachers should give better knowledge to their students.

The Unified State Exam was introduced in 2009 following amendments of the Russian Law on Education. It became compulsory for graduates of all Russian schools.

The public opinion poll was held on June 8-9, 2013. The interviewers polled 1,600 people in 130 populated localities in 42 region and territories of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.

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