High school graduation exam on computer: Need to be implemented step by step

Computer-based high school graduation exams are an inevitable trend, but they need to be implemented step by step, with careful training and synchronous investment in infrastructure to ensure fairness.

Students of Bui Thi Xuan High School, Ho Chi Minh City, take regular tests on computers - Photo: KIM NGAN

That is the affirmation of Mr. Huynh Quoc Thang, Chairman of Bach Khoa Science and Technology Group (Bach Khoa Tech Group), the unit that is supporting the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City and many provinces and cities in digital transformation of education .

Bach Khoa Tech Group has also recently supported Bui Thi Xuan High School to successfully implement regular computer-based testing for 100% of students.

The natural tendency

* Sir, what is the significance of the Ministry of Education and Training's policy of organizing high school graduation exams on computers in the current context?

- This is consistent with the trend of applying information technology and digital transformation in education according to Resolution 71 of the Politburo on breakthrough development in education and training.

The first and most obvious benefit is transparency, fairness and accuracy. When taking the test on a computer, the process of creating questions, grading, storing and synthesizing results is all done automatically, limiting cheating.

Second, taking the exam on a computer reduces the pressure of printing, transporting and securing the exam. The entire process is replaced by electronic data, saving resources and protecting the environment. In the past, for each high school exam, we had to print millions of exam papers, answers and answer sheets, which is equivalent to cutting down thousands of trees.

Third, taking exams on computers helps improve students' information technology skills. This not only serves the high school exam but also creates a foundation for students to better adapt to the learning and working environment in the digital age.

However, computer-based testing and online testing are two different forms. Computer-based testing takes place at a centralized testing site, with invigilators and internal servers, independent of the Internet, ensuring safety and data control. Meanwhile, online testing is often used for small tests, via the Internet, convenient but difficult to monitor absolutely, prone to cheating.

* According to you, how can we ensure the exam is safe and transparent?

- First of all, there needs to be solutions to prevent cheating in online exams and monitor the test-taking process of candidates. For example, the system needs to be able to record the entire test-taking process to avoid complaints after the scores are announced.

In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) should also be applied in the authentication and monitoring of candidates. Each computer will be equipped with a facial recognition camera to ensure the correct person is taking the test. During the test, AI can monitor candidate behavior, detect unusual actions such as accessing other tabs, leaving the test location for too long, etc. to promptly warn the examination board.

In addition, the exam system must ensure load capacity, high security, data encryption and anti-intrusion from outside. The implementing units must also have sufficient technical capacity and practical experience through many organizations to be able to operate smoothly.

Need to familiarize students

* It is known that recently your unit coordinated to support Bui Thi Xuan High School to successfully organize a computer-based test. Could you share more specifically about how the test was implemented and the practical lessons learned from this process?

- At Bui Thi Xuan High School, all exam papers are encrypted. This means that even if someone hacks into the system, they cannot read the content because the exam file has been converted into special characters.

After the coding stage, the test is mixed. From the original test, the system automatically duplicates 24 different test codes. Each code is divided into question areas and randomly reordered. The same question but the correct answer in each test code is also permuted differently. Thanks to that, the probability of two students sitting close to each other cheating is almost impossible.

However, the most difficult part is the students' operation. Some students are not familiar with it, and after only a few minutes of working, they mistakenly click the "submit" button. From this reality, I think the school needs to give students more exposure to the computer-based test format to get used to the operation.

* So, in your opinion, what is the decisive factor in implementing this project?

- In my opinion, the school is the decisive factor in the success of organizing exams on computers. This is where all changes start.

The school board needs to develop a training plan and organize regular mock tests. Through each mock test, students will practice their operating skills, while teachers and technical staff will also gain experience in monitoring and troubleshooting, avoiding the situation of "only learning how to do it when it's time for the real test".

In addition, schools must proactively seek and cooperate with technology units with appropriate capacity to build infrastructure, software and equipment. Proactively connecting and socializing resources will help save costs and create a flexible model.

* Many people are concerned that computer-based testing may make it difficult for students in remote areas due to uneven infrastructure. Do you think this is a cause for concern?

- I think this should be done step by step, starting from places with favorable conditions, then gradually expanding to other localities. Later, when it is widely deployed, mountainous provinces that do not have enough infrastructure can organize centralized exams at the provincial center. In the long term, each province needs to invest in a standard exam center, so that students in mountainous areas can travel there to take the exam.

As for fairness, many people are concerned that if some provinces take the test on computer and some on paper, it will be unfair. In my opinion, it is still fair in essence, because the test is built according to a standard matrix, unique in structure. Although the test format is different, the difficulty, content, and knowledge distribution are similar.

Results guaranteed to be objective

The Ministry of Education and Training’s implementation of computer-based high school graduation exams is a timely policy, in line with the digital transformation trend. Since the beginning of the school year, the school has invested in technical infrastructure, coordinated training with software providers, and guided teachers and students to prepare for the computer-based high school graduation exam.

From experience in testing on computers at school, even if problems such as computer freezes, slow connection or students exiting the software occur, thanks to the technical support team, all problems are handled promptly, students adapt quickly and test results are guaranteed to be objective.

Therefore, to expand this form, it is necessary to invest synchronously in computers, Internet and specialized technical team, and at the same time pay attention to remote areas so that students everywhere have the opportunity to access.

Mr. HUYNH THANH PHU

(Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School, Ho Chi Minh City)

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-tren-may-tinh-can-thuc-hien-tung-buoc-20251024225722446.htm