Exams2021 – National Assessment and Examinations Center

Annual Report 2021

2021 has been a year of unprecedented challenges for the National Assessment and Examinations Centre, and the examination process turned out to be the longest in the history of the Centre.

Training thousands of people involved in exam preparation, carefully complying with healthcare guidelines, creating a safe, well-structured and efficient environment for up to 85,000 examinees and re-adapting human and technical resources in case of emergency are just a few of the activities performed by the devoted staff members of the NAEC.

Due to the pandemic and in the best interest of examinees, the centre, together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, decided to offer additional sessions to those applicants who were unable to sit examinations due to a confirmed diagnosis of Covid 19. The National Assessment and Examinations Centre managed to plan and conduct the examination process twice within a short period of time.

Additional sessions were scheduled for more than 600 participants after the completion of the main sessions. More than 170 teachers and candidate teachers, 200 entrants, about 190 participants in the general master’s exams and up to 60 students registered for the student grant competition took up this opportunity. The applicants were allowed to sit additional exam sessions 14 days after recovery. The participants of the specific examination session were identified on the basis of information provided by the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health. Subject experts created different versions of the tests specifically for additional sessions.

*Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre*

Looking back at the major highlights of the 2021 it is obvious that success is not determined by the quantity and complexity of the challenges we solve, but by teamwork, professionalism, willingness and ability to accomplish the task – I extend my sincere gratitude towards each and every employee of the Centre.
Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre.

Annual Report 2021 can be downloaded from here:Download

Vocational Testing will be Conducted on the 13th and 14th of September in Tbilisi

After successfully conducting the first round of vocational examinations in the regions the NAEC will host applicants in six fully equipped Exam Centers in Tbilisi.

A total of more than 10 000 applicants have registered for the 2021 vocational testing, more than 5 200 of them will take exams in Tbilisi.

On the 13^th of September the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Tamar Kitiashvili and the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center Sophia Gorgodze observed the process in one of the examination centers in Tbilisi.

Vocational testing is computer adaptive, therefore, each applicant has an opportunity to demonstrate his/her competence and learn the results once the exam is concluded. Vocational exams are conducted in the following subjects:

General Abilities – 50 points (2 hours);
Biology – 30 points (1.5 hours);
Chemistry – 30 points (1.5 hours).

The minimum competency threshold is 15% of the maximum score in each subject.

An online tryout testing was conducted on the 12^th of September. The registered applicants were given an opportunity to learn about the features of the program and sample test assignments remotely/from home.

As in 2020 in 2021 the examination process is carried out in full compliance with the recommendations set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

2021 Unified National Examinations have concluded

The 2021 Unified National Examinations have concluded today (30.08.2021). 29,362 entrants have enrolled in various universities throughout the country.

*Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center*

It is my honor to congratulate each and every of them and wish an exciting, successful and productive student life. I would also like to kindly remind them that from the next week they should contact the higher education institutions for administrative purposes to finalize the enrolment procedure.

In 2021, 76% of registered applicants became students. This percentage is almost the same as the last year (75%). Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, the number of enrolments has not decreased. As for the state funding, a total of 10,769 entrants were funded, of which 6,545 entrants received a state grant: 1,011 entrants received a 100% grant, 1,454% received a 70% grant, and 4,080 entrants received a 50% grant. 4,224 entrants will continue their studies at the state-funded faculties.

As for the competition for different programs, Law, Business Administration, Psychology and Healthcare are in the lead like in previous years. This year, a different trend was also revealed. Popular areas now also include graphic design, performing arts, veterinary medical studies, and computer science. The number of enrollees in the Georgian language foundation program has increased, where representatives of ethnic minorities first master the Georgian language and then continue to study in a specific direction. Compared to the last year, this year about 300 entrants gained the right to continue their studies in these programs.

The examination process in 2021 was the longest due to the pandemic, as every applicant who was absent at the exam with a diagnosis of Covid-19 had an opportunity to be involved in the process after recovery. Despite the prolonged examination process, the National Assessment and Examinations Center did everything possible to ensure that the final announcement of the results was not delayed, which would prevent starting university studies on time.

This year has once again shown us how responsible and civic-minded was each participant in the exams. Due to such attitude and devoted staff the examinations were conducted completely safely amid pandemic. I would like to express my special thanks to each team member of the NAEC. I would also like to sincerely extend my gratitude towards all the agencies that helped us in the process of conducting the exams for a month and a half. The outstanding support of each counterpart was significant to help us overcome the difficulties caused by the pandemic.
Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center

Primary Results of Teacher Competency Examinations are Being Published

The results are already available at www.naec.ge and online.naec.ge for teachers and candidate teachers who have taken exams in elementary school subjects, fine and applied arts, physics, chemistry, biology and geography. Each applicant may feel free to see the raw scores as well as papers through their personal accounts.

Exam results can also be learnt via text messages. The applicant should send his / her examination identification number from cell phone (Magti, Geocell) to 93333 (service fee will be deducted 0.50 GEL from the account as many times as the subscriber sends the message).

The final scaled scores will be published as soon as the marking process in all subjects is completed.

The National Assessment and Examinations Center began conducting qualification exams for teachers in 2010. The Center has carried out the Teacher Competency Examination and Exam for Candidate Teachers since 2017.

More than 28,700 applicants have registered for the 2021 Teacher Competency Examinations.

Currently the Professional Competency Examination in Subject Matters is offered in the following fields:

• Georgian Language and Literature (primary level);

• Mathematics (primary level);

• Natural Sciences (primary level);

• Georgian Language and Literature, Mathematics and Natural Sciences (I – IV grades);

• Georgian Language and Literature (secondary and tertiary levels);

• Georgian as a Second Language (primary, secondary and tertiary levels);

• Mathematics (secondary and tertiary levels);

• Social Sciences (secondary and tertiary levels): History, Geography, Civic Education;

• Natural Sciences (secondary and tertiary levels): Physics, Chemistry, Biology;

• Foreign Languages (primary, secondary and tertiary levels): English, German, French,

Russian;

• Aesthetic Upbringing Subjects: Arts, Music, Sports;

• Informational Communication Technologies.

Unified Masters Examinations Have Started

The Unified Masters Exam will be conducted from the 27^th until the 30^th of July. More than 12,800 people have expressed their desire to take the Unified Masters Examinations this year. 25 exam centers throughout Georgia will serve the examinees.

The detailed information about the address of the examination center, the date of the examination and the time of registration is indicated on the examination card. The card can be printed from the page: online.naec.ge

*Ekaterine Dgebuadze, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia; Sophia Gorgodze, The Director of the NAEC; Tamar Chkhartishvili, Exam Center Coordinator*

The special teacher subject exam will be completed on the 27^th of July. This year, this exam is held for the first time and more than 2,800 applicants have registered for it.

Additional examination sessions are being conducted for examinees who were unable to take exams on time due to the Covid-19 diagnoses. Only one additional session is scheduled in each subject.

The examination process is carried out in full compliance with the recommendations set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. Examinees and invigilators are only allowed in 50% of the area of each examination sector. Each desk is equipped with a transparent protective barrier from the front. The distance between the tables is maintained. Wearing a face mask is mandatory throughout the examination process. Air conditioners are switched on at temperatures above 30 ° C. The center also has special spaces for those who have a temperature this year.

The marking process has already started, the results will be published in August.

Additional Exam Sessions for Covid-19 Recovered Applicants

An additional Georgian language and literature exam session will be conducted on July 21 for more than 100 entrants.

Additional examination sessions are scheduled for examinees who were unable to take exams on time due to the Covid-19 diagnoses. Only one additional session will be scheduled in each subject.

On July 23, more than 30 entrants will take the math exam, on July 25, more than 70 entrants will take the foreign language exam, and on July 27, up to 90 entrants will take the history exam. Dates for additional sessions scheduled for other exams will be published at naec.ge.

Today, Dr. Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Centre, is on the spot to observe the examination process in various exam centers in western Georgia.

The marking process has already begun.

The Center will start publishing the results from the first half of August.

The National Assessment and Examinations Center once again wishes good luck to the entrants and kindly reminds them about the possibility to modify the list of educational programs in their online applications until the day after the publication of the results of the appeals.

The Unified National Examinations 2021 Started Today

The examination process started simultaneously in 25 exam centers throughout Georgia on the 1^st of July 09:00 AM with Georgian Language and Literature exam in two sessions.

More than 38,400 applicants are registered for the 2021 exams.

Dr. *Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the NAEC observed the registration process*

The Unified National Examinations are centralized, high-stakes and computer based. The whole process is standardized, every procedure including test development, administration, marking and appellation is in accordance with established regulations and applicants are in equal conditions. By means of valid, fair, and reliable educational assessment the NAEC contributes to the improvement of the quality of education in Georgia.

The 2021 exams will be conducted in full compliance with the recommendations set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

It is highly recommended for examinees to be present at each exam on time with an identity document and an exam card indicating the time and place of each exam. The National Assessment and Examinations Center once again kindly reminds the public that test takers will not be allowed after the registration is complete.

As in 2020, this year test takers and invigilators will be admitted to only 50% of the space of each examination sector. Each desk will be equipped with a transparent protective shield / barrier from the front; The distance between the tables will be at least 2 meters, and the distance between the tables arranged in a row – 1 meter. Wearing a face mask will be mandatory throughout the examination process. Air conditioners will be switched on at temperatures above 30 ° C.

Each exam center also includes special quarantine spaces for applicants with a high temperature.

This year, the Covid-19 infected examinees will have an opportunity to take exams 14 days after recovery. Additional sessions will be conducted once per subject before the end of examination period. The list of examinees will be developed according to the information provided by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.

Emergency, Rescue and Police brigades will be patrolling around each exam center until the examination process is concluded.

Annual Meeting with Exam Center Administrators and Coordinators was Organized by the NAEC

Sophia Gorgodze, the Director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center, Kakha Jamburia, the Deputy Director and the heads of the relevant departments of the NAEC discussed the latest updates in terms of safety measures during the exams.

The 2021 examination process will be conducted in full compliance with the healthcare guidelines set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

50 Administrators and Coordinators in 25 Examination Centers will be leading the examination process throughout Georgia in 2021.

The Safety Measures During the 2021 Examinations

Sophia Gorgodze, the Head of the National Assessment and Examinations Center together with Nunu Mitskevich, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, and Paata Imnadze, Deputy Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health shared the latest updates in terms of safety measures during the exams.

In 2021, the Covid-19 infected examinees will have an opportunity to take exams 14 days after recovery. Additional sessions will be conducted once per subject before the end of examination period. The list of examinees will be developed according to the information provided by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
Sophia Gorgodze

Similarly, to the last year:

examinees and invigilators will be allowed in only 50% of the area of each examination sector.

Each desk will be equipped with a transparent protective shield / barrier from the front;

The distance between the tables will be at least 2 meters, and the distance between the tables arranged in a row – 1 meter.

Wearing a face mask will be mandatory throughout the examination process. The air conditioners will be switched on at temperatures above 30 ° C.

Special spaces will be arranged for applicants with a high temperature this year.

Examinees are highly recommended to follow the healthcare guidelines set by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs:

Keep social distance as much as possible during the registration and examination process;

Frequently use hand sanitizers provided by the Center.

Examinees should have an ID Card as well as an Examination Card;

Applicants are free to carry their own water in a plastic bottle, an additional face mask and a pen (gel black pen 0.5-0.7 mm, with a ball tip).

No other personal item will be allowed to minimize the risk of transmitting / spreading the disease from the items.

The National Assessment and Examinations Center wishes good luck to all of the examinees and once again kindly asks to follow the safety regulations during the 2021 exams.

2021 Examination Schedule

The director of the National Assessment and Examinations Center Dr. Sophia Gorgodze shared the detailed information about 2021 Examination Schedule with the representatives of media. According to Dr. Gorgodze, the examinees will be able to print out exam cards after the 20^th of June from their personal accounts at naec.ge. The card will contain information about the date, time and an address of an exam center for each exam.

The Unified National Examinations 2021 will be launched on the 1^st of July, 2021.

Professional Qualification Exams for teachers and candidate teachers will start from the 14^th of July. The Student Grant Competition will be held on the 28^th of July, and the General Master’s Exam candidates will take the Master’s Exams during 27-30 July.

Detailed schedule for 2021 Exams in Georgian can be found here.

The registration statistics for 2021 Exams are as follows:

More than 38,400 entrants have registered for the Unified National Examinations;
More than 3,700 students expressed their desire to participate in the Student Grant Competition;
More than 12,800 master’s degree candidates have registered for the General Master’s Exam.
More than 28,700 applicants have registered for the Teacher Subject Exam, the Senior Special Teacher Exam, as well as the Subject and Professional Competencies Exam – this list includes those applicants who have registered for the Subject and / or Professional Competence Test by April 30, 2020.

Examinations 2021 will be conducted in compliance with all regulations related to the pandemic. The latest updates will be published on the Center’s web and Facebook pages.