Plan to tighten regulations on 6-level foreign language exams to prevent cheating in proxy exams

The new draft circular was adjusted by the Ministry of Education and Training in the direction of increasing autonomy and accountability of exam organizing units, so it only stipulates the framework of minimum requirements and criteria, and does not specify details on the exam organization process as in current regulations.

Units shall base on the framework regulations to develop criteria, examination organization procedures, coordination/association regulations and publicly announce them, and at the same time send reports to the Ministry of Education and Training for management, inspection, supervision and post-inspection.

It is expected to tighten regulations on foreign language exams at 6 levels to prevent cheating in taking exams on behalf of others. (Illustration photo)

The draft also adds regulations on solutions to ensure safety and reliability in organizing exams and granting foreign language certificates according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework. In particular, there are solutions to prevent substitute exams and proxy exams, for example, regulations on units providing photos of candidates during the exam on the certificate lookup and verification system.

With the new draft circular, the Ministry of Education and Training allows testing organizations to cooperate with other organizations to organize foreign language proficiency tests according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, if the cooperating organization meets the prescribed conditions. With this, organizations can expand the testing locations, which is convenient for candidates.

The draft also specifies more clearly the process of developing exam questions, the question bank, regulations on the level of duplication of exam questions between exam sessions, and enhances the effective application of information technology and digital transformation in all stages of the exam.

The 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam was issued on January 24, 2014, based on the application of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and a number of English proficiency frameworks in other countries, combined with the actual situation and conditions of teaching, learning and using foreign languages ​​in Vietnam.

Level 1 (elementary) corresponds to level A1 in the CEFR.

Level 2 (elementary) corresponds to level A2 in the CEFR.

Level 3 (intermediate) corresponds to level B1 in the CEFR.

Level 4 (intermediate) corresponds to level B2 in the CEFR.

Level 5 (advanced) corresponds to level C1 in the CEFR.

Level 6 (advanced) corresponds to level C2 in the CEFR.

This 6-level foreign language proficiency framework is used as a standard for officials, civil servants, and public employees (in terms of rank, level, or planning and appointment) instead of using certificates A, B, and C as before.

Khanh Huyen

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/du-kien-siet-quy-dinh-thi-ngoai-ngu-6-bac-ngan-gian-lan-thi-thay-thi-ho-ar909290.html