Duration: 2002 - 2016

Budget: $1,100,000

Implementing Partner: Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods (CEATM) 

Key Partners: Ministry of Education

Activity Locations: Nationwide

MAJOR FOCUS AREAS

In 2002, USAID was at the forefront of designing and launching the National Admission Test (NAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science. 

At the same time, an independent testing organization, Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods (CEATM), was founded with USAID support to design and administer the test. Having an independent organization helped ensure that the test results are recognized as merit-based and transparent.

Since 2002, USAID provided over $1,100,000 to help administer the NAT, including upgrading the test database; revising and publishing study guides for students; and conducting public awareness campaigns throughout the Kyrgyz Republic.

EXPECTED IMPACT AND RESULTS

• The completion of the NAT for admission to both public and private universities has been mandatory since 2012.
• The NAT helps professionalize not only the university admissions but also the university financial aid process. To date, almost half a million young Kyrgyzstanis have taken the national test in a transparent and fair process, and received more than 70,000 government-funded scholarships to universities in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• More than 50% of the students receiving scholarships are from rural areas, who would have very limited opportunities to access higher education without the NAT. 
• In 2016-2017, USAID’s assistance enabled the CEATM to increase test variants, which helped to enhance test secrecy. The acquisition of metal detectors and the introduction of an additional person responsible for the safety of testing also helped to increase the secrecy of testing.
• CEATM also revised and updated the test contents in Kyrgyz and Russian languages in subjects like biology, chemistry, mathematics, history, physics and English.
• More information and resources such as study guides, free online practice tests, video lessons and guidelines for paper-based test are now available on updated website www.testing.kg.
• CEATM has set up a special computer classroom that can accommodate 20 students at a time to enable students to practice in taking the NAT;
• Printed and distributed updated brochures and study guides on the main test, as well as on subject tests for students in Kyrgyz and Russian languages;
• Accurate processing of test data became much faster with the new scanner acquired with USAID’s support.