An important meeting with the Director of Government and External Relations of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), Shannon Ashpole Litton was held as part of the working visit of the delegation of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan to the United States of America. An overview of the activities of ETS was presented and areas for expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of education were proposed at the meeting.

ETS is a leading global organization that specializes in the development and implementation of educational test assessments such as SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE and others.

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

SAT is a standardized test used in the United States and other countries to assess the readiness of schoolchildren for admission to higher education institutions. The test includes sections on mathematics, reading, writing and language skills. SAT results play a key role in the admissions process to American universities and colleges. Its main goal is to objectively assess the academic potential of an applicant so that universities can make proper decisions when selecting students.

ACT (American College Testing)

ACT is an alternative college admissions test used alongside the SAT. The ACT includes sections on English language arts, math, reading, science, and an optional writing section. ACT scores are widely used in university admissions processes, assessing not only academic knowledge but also students' analytical skills.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

TOEFL is an internationally recognized test of English proficiency in non-native English speakers. The test is used for admission to English-medium universities and programs, as well as in the professional field. It measures four core skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. TOEFL is often required for admission to universities in English-speaking countries.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

GRE is a standardized test that is commonly required for admission to graduate or postgraduate programs in the United States and many other countries.  The GRE tests general academic skills, including verbal and mathematical abilities, as well as analytical writing. College admissions committees use GRE scores to evaluate potential students and their readiness for advanced academic study.

PRAXIS

PRAXIS is a series of tests used to assess the knowledge and skills of teachers in the United States. These tests are required to obtain a teaching license in elementary and secondary schools in most American states. PRAXIS assesses both general academic skills (e.g., math, reading) and professional knowledge related to the specific subjects that the teacher plans to teach.

The SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and PRAXIS tests play an important role in the global education system. The SAT and ACT help universities objectively assess applicants' readiness for education, eliminating subjective factors. TOEFL allows non-native speakers of English to prove their proficiency in English for study abroad. The GRE serves as a basis for admission to graduate and postgraduate programs, and PRAXIS helps maintain high standards of teacher training, which directly affects the quality of school education.

 Several key areas for future cooperation were discussed during the meeting:

Turkmenistan was offered cooperation in preparing for participation in international studies, such as PISA, with the development of methods for successful participation in these programs.

Establishing cooperation in the development of methods for creating test questions using the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, based on the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL and other tests was proposed as well.

The possibility of studying the methodology for conducting PRAXIS tests for assessing knowledge and certifying teachers was discussed.

The use of tests such as SAT and ACT has a significant impact on improving the education system, since the selection of students based on objective tests helps universities focus on educational standards. This improves the quality of enrolled students and contributes to an overall improvement in the level of education.

Thanks to a productive meeting with the ETS representative, the parties discussed current areas for strengthening cooperation. The implementation of these areas of cooperation with ETS is aimed at improving the quality of educational services and integration into the global educational community.

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan.
 

Also read: Turkmenportal