Kazakhstan Prepares New AI-Based University Admission Test

Kazakhstan plans to use artificial intelligence to develop a new test for university applicants, Orda.kz reports.

Science and Higher Education Minister Sayasat Nurbek said the new test is called the Admission Insight Test, or AIT. It is planned as an alternative to the existing Unified National Testing system, known as UNT.

According to the minister, the test should assess not only school knowledge, but also critical thinking, digital literacy, leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, anti-corruption values, honesty, and applicants’ beliefs.

AI is being used. Algorithms have made a major breakthrough in assessment systems. I saw amazing things myself — how deeply a person can be assessed. I also took such an assessment, and it was impressive. It is not only about knowledge, but also emotional intelligence, anti-corruption values, honesty, ideals, and beliefs. It turns out these things can also be assessed. The international academic community is already studying this very deeply. We will also apply the latest developments here,Nurbek said at a government briefing.

According to him, two delegations from Princeton have already visited Kazakhstan. Specialists are working with more than 4,000 of the country’s best teachers and conducting field research.

Nurbek stressed that the new test will not be a franchise or a license. He said it is being developed in Kazakhstan, and the intellectual property will remain in the country.

Kazakh test developers will also undergo specialized training at Princeton under the Bolashak program. The ministry expects this to help create Kazakhstan’s own school of testology.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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