Student competency assessment: A catalyst for innovation in general education.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son - Standing Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Comprehensive, safe, and highly differentiated.

ButThe aptitude test method used for admissions at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has received considerable public attention. It seems that Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has contributed to realizing the idea of ​​external assessment in practice, sir?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:That's right. Hanoi National University considers innovation, including reform of examinations, as a mission, pioneering for the entire Vietnamese higher education system. For the first time in Vietnam, people are learning about competency-based assessment for admissions purposes. This method is built on the foundation of advanced testing and evaluation methods from around the world, overcoming many shortcomings of previous exams by achieving comprehensiveness, professionalism, security, and fairness. The 2015 cohort, using competency-based assessment, has completed its first semester of training. Many faculty members have given positive feedback on a generation of dynamic and well-rounded students.

- In 2015, the aptitude test was only used for admission to member universities of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, but this year, six universities outside the system have registered to use the test results…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:This year, the exam has begun to be shared. Six universities outside the Hanoi National University system are participating in using these results, including: Hanoi Metropolitan University, Nguyen Trai University, Da Nang University of Architecture, Nam Dinh University of Technology and Education, University of Natural Resources and Environment, and Hoa Binh University. This is just the beginning, but it shows that other universities are enthusiastic and interested in our admissions method. If from 2017 onwards more universities participate in using the results and jointly organizing the exam, we are ready to do so as well.

- For top-tier universities that require a high degree of differentiation among candidates, is the aptitude test sufficient?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:We believe that universities with high admission scores particularly need this type of assessment method. With the general exam, there aren't many questions designed to differentiate candidates. In contrast, our 140-question test set is very effective at differentiating candidates. The questions are carefully selected to ensure a balance of difficulty across different exams, while also incorporating new questions at a reasonable rate, and increasing the number of open-ended questions linked to real-world knowledge.

The Party Secretary and Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, directs the work of the competency assessment exam. (Photo: Quoc Toan)

Regular assessments and admissions

- That's the viewpoint, but what are the conditions for sharing the results of the Hanoi National University's competency assessment exam, sir?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:One of the conditions for sharing the results is the exam question bank. Compared to 2015, our question bank this year has doubled in size. We are still continuing to expand and refine the question bank to ensure it is large enough for the number of candidates. The standardized exam questions have been tested, filtered, and balanced in difficulty. Regarding the software and online registration process, it is fully capable of accommodating a very large number of candidates. Therefore, from a conceptual standpoint, we are ready; the most important condition is the question bank, and we can also meet the other requirements. The remaining issue is that if this examination method is expanded to a very large number of candidates, the schools must cooperate. In addition, there needs to be a systematic and formal approach to preparing the necessary infrastructure (internet connection, equipment, etc.) for stable use over many years.

- In the long term, if the Hanoi National University adopts its competency assessment exam method, will the admission methods of other universities have to change, sir?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:The admission methods of universities need adjustment. Universities should switch to a two-season admissions system, spring and fall, instead of a single admissions period. Regular assessments and admissions will reduce stress for candidates, their families, and society. The Ministry of Education and Training can coordinate within the system, establish a common policy, and provide a basis for universities to organize admissions according to the new method.

- Examinations are merely the result of a process. As long as teaching and learning methods remain unchanged, reforming examination methods will only address the symptoms, not the root cause. What are your thoughts on this?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Son:There needs to be a certain degree of compatibility between learning and testing. Historically, students have learned according to the test format. When it comes to testing, students also need to understand how they learned in order to devise a suitable testing method. It's a two-way street. However, we cannot wait for the entire general education system to change before changing the testing format. Instead, we must introduce a new testing format as a catalyst, impacting teaching and learning at the general education level. Those designing the exam also need to plan a roadmap, gradually adapting to the changes in general education, rather than creating excessive stress or shock for the candidates.

Thank you, sir!

According to daibieunhandan.vn