Plan to expand VSTEP foreign language certification exam locations

The Ministry of Education and Training is seeking comments on a draft new Circular to replace Circular 23/2017/TT-BGDDT on the Regulations on foreign language proficiency assessment tests according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam (VSTEP). Compared to the old Circular, the draft replacement Circular has 5 new points.

The Ministry of Education and Training plans to expand the VSTEP certificate exam locations to facilitate candidates when taking the exam.

Firstly, to strengthen the autonomy and accountability of the units organizing or cooperating in organizing examinations. Specifically, the Circular only stipulates the framework, requirements, and minimum criteria for the organizing units; it does not specify the detailed process of organizing examinations as before.

Units, based on the criteria, develop their own examination organization process, coordination/association regulations and publicly announce them as well as send them to the Ministry of Education and Training through the Department of Quality Management for management and to serve the work of inspection, examination, supervision and post-inspection.

Second, strengthen solutions to organize exams and issue foreign language certificates according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework to ensure security, safety, reliability, fairness, especially against substitute exams and proxy exams. Add a requirement for units to provide photos of candidates during the exam on the certificate lookup and verification system.

Third, allow the testing unit to cooperate with other units to organize foreign language proficiency tests according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam if the cooperating unit meets the conditions specified in the Circular. This contributes to expanding the testing locations, making it more convenient for candidates to take the test.

Fourth, strengthen the effective application of information technology and digital transformation in all stages of exam organization.

Fifth, clearly stipulate the process of constructing exam questions, the exam question bank, and regulations on the level of duplication of exam questions between exam sessions.

Foreign language certificates according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam (VSTEP) are equivalent to levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. Up to now, many universities have used VSTEP English certificates in training and graduation recognition for students.

In 2023, candidates with VSTEP level 3 certificate will be exempted from foreign language exam in the high school graduation recognition consideration.

Readers can see the draft circular HERE

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/du-kien-mo-rong-dia-diem-to-chuc-thi-chung-chi-ngoai-ngu-vstep.html