Non-public schools propose exam reform plans

For the same amount of high school knowledge, there is no need for two exams, just one exam that is both compact and effective. That is the opinion of the Association of Non-Public Universities and Colleges of Vietnam, which has just sent Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam about the proposal to reform the high school graduation exam and university and college entrance exam.

According to Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Quan, Chairman of the Association of Non-Public Universities and Colleges, to assess the level of education objectively, it is necessary to apply the form of multiple-choice tests mainly, using modern technology for testing. Test many subjects to avoid skewed teaching and learning; test questions are designed to reduce knowledge learned by heart and increase knowledge testing students' actual abilities to adjust teaching and learning actively.

The Association of Non-Public Universities and Colleges proposes: Exams can be held multiple times a year to reduce stress and create more opportunities for candidates.

The high school graduation exam aims to assess the general education level and grant high school graduation certificates; Regulate the teaching and learning process in high schools in a democratic and positive direction; The exam results are the basis for universities and colleges to recruit students.

Accordingly, the Association proposed the high school graduation exam to be implemented from 2015 and consider this as a type of learning achievement exam, evaluated according to standards. Specifically, it is based on the general education program and scores are calculated based on a standard distribution representing high school final year students nationwide.

The test is designed mainly using objective multiple choice method (MTC), combined with some short essay questions (ELQ) for subjects with additional needs.

The subjects (single subjects and integrated subjects) can be expected as follows: 3 single subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language (one of the following languages: English, French, Russian, Chinese, German). 2 integrated subjects: Natural Sciences (related to Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Humanities and Social Sciences (related to History, Geography, Politics).

The Math and Literature tests use the TNKQ method with short TL questions for candidates to complete in an average of 30 minutes. The TL part of the Math test aims to assess the ability to solve mathematical problems. The TL part of the Literature test aims to assess the ability to write and express in Vietnamese, and will limit candidates to writing no more than 400 words. The time for each Math and Literature test is 90 minutes (60 minutes TNKQ, 30 minutes TL).

The Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences exams are given in the form of integrating the corresponding subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and History, Geography, Politics, using the TNKQ method. The time limit for each exam is 90 minutes.

Foreign Language Test (English, French, Russian, Chinese, German...) assesses reading comprehension and grammar skills using the TNKQ method, in 90 minutes.

All candidates must take three single subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language and choose one of two integrated subjects (or take both) Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Each exam is held in just 3 days. The way of setting questions mainly using TNKQ and according to comprehensive subjects helps to assess comprehensive knowledge of the high school program, preventing the tendency of lopsided learning, but still organizing a short exam. The two TL questions in the Math and Literature exams overcome the disadvantages of the TNKQ method, helping to further assess writing ability and problem solving in mathematics. Limiting the number of words in TL questions forces candidates to think carefully about the structure before writing, while not creating an overload in marking TL papers, and can choose competent markers to ensure the quality of marking essay papers.

According to the Association, it can be held several times a year to reduce stress and create more opportunities for candidates. In the near future, it should be held at least twice a year, corresponding to the beginning of two semesters of the university.

The exam results are used as a basis for considering high school graduation and equivalent qualifications; as a basis for universities and colleges to consider candidates for the majors they apply for. Universities and colleges propose a plan to calculate the total score of the exam subjects to enroll students in the majors according to their school's requirements (the total score of the subjects can be calculated with a coefficient). For some universities with special requirements or higher requirements on input quality, this can be considered as a preliminary score. Based on the number of candidates who have been pre-selected, these schools can organize additional aptitude tests, advanced tests or/and interviews for general admission.

According to QĐND