Russian graduate makes history with perfect scores in five state exams

A Moscow school graduate has become the first person in the 25-year history of Russia’s Unified State Exam to earn the maximum 500 points across five subjects.

Ekaterina Malkova, a graduate of Moscow School No. 1409, scored 100 points each in Russian language, advanced mathematics, computer science, physics and chemistry. She has since enrolled at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

The achievement required unusual breadth across four technical disciplines and the compulsory Russian language exam. Malkova said she focused on school lessons and additional sessions with her teachers. Despite her strength in the exact sciences, she found preparing for the required humanities subject the most labor-intensive part. She initially thought the perfect results were a joke when she saw them.

The record received public recognition during Moscow City Day celebrations at Zaryadye Park on September 5, when President Vladimir Putin congratulated Malkova and her family. He also credited Moscow’s wider education system for helping make the result possible. Malkova had studied in mathematics and engineering-focused programs and previously succeeded in academic competitions, including events in physics and engineering.