#Kazakhstan #Astana #ETS #Admissions Insight Test

Kazakhstan and ETS Collaborate on New Assessment System

In a significant advancement for education in Kazakhstan, ETS (Educational Testing Service) has partnered with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to develop a groundbreaking Admissions Insight Test (AIT). This innovative assessment represents the next phase in modernizing Kazakhstan's university admissions process and aims to enhance fairness, trust, and global competitiveness in the country's education system.

As stated by Sayasat Nurbek, the Minister of Science and Higher Education, the Admissions Insight Test is a pivotal move towards a more inclusive and transparent admission process for prospective university students. By collaborating with ETS, Kazakhstan is not only aligning its educational assessments with international standards but also preparing its students to succeed in an increasingly globalized and AI-driven world.

The new test is designed to evaluate not just academic abilities but also essential competencies necessary for thriving in contemporary university settings. The initiative builds on a prior agreement from November 2025, which marked the beginning of this transformative journey in higher education. The aim of the AIT is to create a robust pathway for students, fostering a deeper engagement with their academic destinies and smoothing their transition into higher education.

ETR's Research Institute will work directly with Kazakhstan's education authorities and specialists from the National Testing Center (NTC) to create an assessment system that thoroughly measures applicant readiness. This advanced approach reflects Kazakhstan's aspiration to emerge as a leading academic hub in Eurasia, emphasizing innovation, academic excellence, and international collaboration.

Kadriye Ercikan, Senior Vice President of Global Research at ETS, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that many governments globally are re-evaluating how their education systems measure readiness for the future. Trust, rigor, and global expertise are paramount, and this partnership embodies these principles.

The Admissions Insight Test will feature a modular format that combines Subject Modules in line with the national school curriculum and aligned with the fields of study students intend to pursue. This structure will also incorporate Skills-Based Testing to assess interdisciplinary capabilities beyond traditional academics. Such capabilities include critical thinking, research skills, communication proficiency, along with digital and quantitative literacy.

This multi-faceted design not only aims to present a comprehensive portrait of each applicant’s preparedness for university challenges but also seeks to foster informed decision-making among admissions officers. The shift towards a more sophisticated evaluation system underlines Kazakhstan's commitment to ensure that its students are not only competitive locally but also on an international level.

ETS’s overarching mission focuses on preparing learners for the next wave of future job markets by leveraging advanced measurement science. With this partnership, they intend to enhance the admissions process while rendering it credible and respected on a global scale. By 2035, ETS aspires to prepare over 100 million individuals for the workforce, and projects like the AIT are foundational to achieving this goal.

Kazakhstan's education reform through the Admissions Insight Test is a visionary step that signals its intent to promote academic leadership in the region. The initiative combines local aspirations with globally recognized educational standards, ensuring that Kazakh students are equipped to succeed in their future endeavors as they navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving educational landscape. As ETS continues to expand its reach and impact globally, the collaboration with Kazakhstan marks a significant milestone in educational innovation and partnership.

Through collaborative efforts, Kazakhstan not only aims to elevate its higher education system but also position itself as a hub of educational excellence in the broader Eurasian arena. The introduction of the AIT promises to embody the values of fairness and recognition essential for building a future-ready education framework.