06/02/2020
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is working with the Ministry of Public Education in Uzbekistan, to give them the tools they need to select the best students for five new high achieving schools opening this year.
Presidential Schools have a vision to offer quality education for gifted 11-16 year olds and they specialise in teaching science, technology, engineering, art and maths. The schools are part of a wider national strategy for development, set out by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which will open 14 state-run, free schools across Uzbekistan by 2021.
The admissions tests, which have been designed by experts in Cambridge, include a pre-selection maths test and main selection test which focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking, the key skills for fair student selection and successful study. The main selection test is delivered in three languages: Uzbek, English and Karakalpak.
More than 28,000 pupils took the pre-selection maths test in 2019 and 11,473 were then selected for the main test. As a result 576 were offered places in four regions. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing will also continue to deliver admissions tests to help the existing schools to select this year’s students entering grade 5.
Gwendydd Caudwell, Head of Development and Delivery at Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing said:
‘The admissions tests will be a key tool for the Ministry which will help them to fairly select students for these high achieving schools. The test results provides the schools with the information they need to differentiate between applicants’ skills in these key areas. Problem-solving and critical thinking are essential for helping students to succeed because they help inquisitive students take on challenges, make judgements and consider different ideas and viewpoints.’
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is collaborating with Cambridge Assessment International Education on the project who are developing and delivering the curriculum for the schools.
Read more about the project