Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva has stated the need to transform the system of the Unified National Testing (UNT) in Kazakhstan. The changes are aimed at improving the quality of applicant selection and adapting to new requirements in education and the labour market.
WHY THE QUESTION OF REFORM IS BEING RAISED
According to Aida Balayeva, this is not about 'yet another reform', but about transitioning to a new stage in the development of the selection system. The minister emphasised that current educational trends, changes in the labour market, and competency requirements necessitate a review of approaches.
'In particular, the multiple attempts system of the UNT does not fully address the issue of high-quality applicant selection. Moreover, today universities are limited in their rights to independently select talent – this primarily concerns pedagogical universities, which are drivers of human capital development,' she stated.
WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED
One of the key proposals is the introduction of a hybrid assessment system for applicants to pedagogical universities. This would involve a combination of testing and specialised exams.
According to the announced measures, starting next year, entry to pedagogical specialities will take into account not only UNT results but also oral exams. The main criteria will be the assessment of applicants' critical thinking and communication skills.
It was separately noted that the selection process plans to use new test tasks from the Admissions Insight Test, which are being developed jointly with international experts.
CHANGE TO THE TESTING FORMAT
It is also proposed to transform the UNT into a single-sitting format, which will serve as the final assessment for participation in the competition for educational grants.
At the same time, the system of practice tests will be maintained. As the minister emphasised, these will be used for self-assessment of knowledge and to adjust preparation.
ABANDONMENT OF CONDITIONAL ENROLMENT
Another initiative is the abandonment of the practice of conditional enrolment of students onto preparatory programmes (Foundation).
As Aida Balayeva noted, practice shows that between 50 and 60% of such students do not surpass the minimum threshold during the academic year. The materials do not specify what alternative mechanisms will be proposed in its place.