At the invitation of the international organization Educational Testing Service (ETS, USA), Director of Kazakhstan’s National Testing Center Bolatbek Abdrassilov took part in the Princeton Summit and held a series of meetings with ETS leadership. The summit aimed to strengthen and expand strategic cooperation between ETS and government institutions of Central Asian countries, DKNews.kz reports.
For Kazakhstan, the event became more than a formal exchange. It was an opportunity to present how the country’s national testing system is evolving and where it is heading next.
How the Unified National Test is changing
During the panel discussion titled “Opportunities and Challenges in Educational Measurement”, Abdrassilov presented Kazakhstan’s experience in modernizing the Unified National Test.
In recent years, all stages of testing have been fully digitalized. Analytical tools have been introduced, while transparency and objectivity of exam procedures have been significantly improved. Particular attention was paid to the reliability of assessment, academic integrity, and cybersecurity - issues that are becoming critical for digital testing systems worldwide.
Research, data, and analytics
Summit participants were introduced to research and analytical developments implemented by the National Testing Center in cooperation with international partners. These include ETS (USA), AQA (United Kingdom), and the Center for Psychometrics and Educational Measurement at the Higher School of Economics.
Special interest was drawn to the Dashboard information and analytics platform, which is used to monitor and improve Unified National Test processes. The system enables deep analysis of big data and helps identify systemic issues before they affect exam quality.
International experts also highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s methodological shift from testing subject-based knowledge to assessing higher-order thinking skills. This approach reflects a global trend in education assessment.
A shared vision with ETS
During a dedicated session on bilateral cooperation between the National Testing Center and ETS, a unified vision for improving university entrance examinations was presented jointly with ETS Executive Director Teran Brown.
The discussion covered the redesign of profile subjects, the introduction of innovative assessment modules, and the expansion of tools for evaluating critical thinking. Special attention was also given to assessing digital literacy and artificial intelligence literacy, competencies that are increasingly essential for today’s students.
Dialogue at leadership level
At a meeting with ETS President and CEO Amit Sevak, the sides discussed further development of cooperation and exchange of expertise in educational measurement. It was emphasized that partnership with ETS allows Kazakhstan to adopt best international practices and enhance the quality of its national assessment system.
Strategic cooperation between the National Testing Center and ETS is aimed at modernizing national testing, strengthening scientific and methodological capacity, and developing the country’s human capital.
SAT and AP: new opportunities for students
A separate working meeting was held with Brandi Waters, Senior Director for Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at College Board. The sides outlined plans to establish partnership relations between the National Testing Center and College Board.
They discussed areas for joint research projects, as well as the administration of SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams and the possible conversion of their results into Unified National Test scores. Such initiatives could open new educational pathways for Kazakhstani students with an international academic focus.
Why this matters
Participation in platforms like the Princeton Summit demonstrates that Kazakhstan’s national testing system is increasingly aligned with international standards. The Unified National Test is gradually transforming from a memorization-based exam into a tool that evaluates students’ readiness to think, analyze, and adapt in a digital world.
The impact of these discussions may not be immediate, but it is precisely such dialogues that shape the future of education policy and assessment systems for years to come.
