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 a framework of minimum requirements and criteria, and does not specify details on exam organization procedures as in current regulations.

Units shall base on the framework regulations to develop criteria, exam 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 work.

It is expected to tighten regulations on 6-level foreign language exams to prevent cheating in proxy exams. (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 system to look up and verify certificates.

With the new draft circular, the Ministry of Education and Training allows test-organizing units 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 prescribed conditions. With this, units can expand the test-organizing locations, which is convenient for candidates.

The draft also stipulates more clearly the process of developing exam questions, the exam 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 cadres, civil servants, and public employees (in terms of rank, level, or planning and appointment) instead of using A, B, and C certificates 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