Accessibility of Higher Education in Russia: the Role of Pre-entry Coaching

Higher education is an essential part of a human capital. However, during the Soviet period it was available mostly for high-income families as shadow education was obligatory to enter the university. In 2009 2-levels system of final and entering exams was replaced by the Unified state exam. This type of testing was introduced as an instrument which can erase distinctions between university applicants and thus to expand the accessibility of higher education. Still school graduates opt for shadow education in order to enhance their USE results. This study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between shadow education and exam results. In order to achieve this aim the reasons for institute of shadow education expansion, its current condition and the methodology of the shadow education effect assessment were examined. It was found that participation in shadow education can give no more than 5 points which is quite low in comparison with expected benefits. At the same time school specialization and good academic performance (4 and 5) can additionally give up to 9 points each. Thus, it is recommended for authorities to pay their attention to school education quality enhancement as this measure can improve students’ academic performance and the USE results. Moreover, this measure implementation can lead to long-term positive effects for Russia in general.