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Presentation of CAT Exam Model Held at MES

By Salome Modebadze
Thursday, November 18
For the first time in Georgia, 2010-2011 High School exams will be held through the so called CAT exam model. Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Dimitri Shashkini and Director of the National Examination Center, Maia Miminoshvili introduced the sample of electronic tests to around 200 12th graders and answered their questions on the High School exams.

The National Examination Center, along with the National Curriculum and Assessment Center developed the base of exam material. Tasks are divided according to difficulty in several (7-10) categories. Initially, the applicant will be given questions of average difficulty. The program evaluates knowledge according to the answers and selects the next questions.

Exams in each subject will be held on the same day in all general educational institutions. After finishing the exam, applicant immediately receives results of the tests – whether he/she crossed the minimal competency level or not. The minimal competency level is reflected in concrete signs and not scores. The evaluation of the computer program has no influence on the annual mark of the schoolchildren and it remains unchanged.

CAT model has following advantages: Schoolchildren pass the High School exams at schools; Printing of the exam tests, (average ammount:55000X8=440 000 tests), distributing them and keeping storages in the bank are not necessary anymore; Establishing commissions of exam paper correctors is not necessary as well; Schoolchildren receive results immediately.

Information meetings concerning the High School exams will be still held with the 12th graders. Such meetings help them to get better prepared for the exams as they will receive answers on all questions.