Yesterday, the State Examination Center (SEC) announced that, starting from 2027, the assessment of writing skills in the graduation examination for those studying at the full (11-year) secondary education level will be evaluated according to a model that requires writing a text of at least 100 words, consisting of one paragraph, based on a given topic or question. It should be noted that a task requiring image description has already been implemented in the 9th-grade graduation examination in 2025.
In this regard, parents protest, stating that the innovation intended for the 9th grade could also have been applied to the 11th grade. It is interesting to know how this innovation, implemented for the 9th grade in 2025, affected the exam results. Overall, are applicants ready for the innovations planned for the 11th-grade graduation examinations?
Education expert Elchin Murad commented on the topic to AzEdu.az.
He stated that the main purpose of taking such a step is to further develop vocabulary, word stock, and expressive ability from an alternative perspective:
“The goal here is to form the language knowledge of students and applicants more precisely and purposefully. That is, if an applicant is learning a foreign language, and if these languages – be it Russian or English – are used internationally and play a more active role in certain directions nationwide, then this language knowledge should not be limited to grammar alone. Simply knowing grammar no longer means fully mastering that language.
I believe that the main purpose of the State Examination Center taking such a step is to further develop vocabulary, word stock, and expressive ability from an alternative perspective. The non-application of the task requiring the expression of any idea in English based on an image, which is implemented in the 9th grade, to the 11th grades is not of great importance. Because in the 9th grade, a simpler and more primitive level is created. This is intended to demonstrate the initial stage of English language proficiency and basic skills of 9th-grade students.
It is not considered appropriate to include it in the 11th-grade curriculum. Because 11th-grade graduation examinations already have their own level, model, and a certain degree of difficulty. The application of such tasks in the 11th grades would have somewhat weakened the exam model and lowered the level. Therefore, the rule applied in the 9th grade was not extended to the 11th grades.”
The expert noted that if we bring this language to the country's agenda and educational platform, it must be maintained at a higher level:
“The main reason for the changes planned for the 11th grades this year is, as I mentioned, the rule of writing an essay of at least 100 words. In addition, it is also planned to frame questions related to reading comprehension, writing skills, language knowledge, and grammatical knowledge within a certain framework. I believe this is aimed at further improving the language practice of applicants learning English.
This was an expected development. Because simply knowing 3-5 words and mastering the basics of grammar to write in English does not ensure a high level of English language potential for that applicant in the future. However, the richer the vocabulary, the more fluently and comfortably the applicant will be able to speak English by combining their grammatical knowledge with those words.
If we are teaching a foreign language and applying it to learners, it is normal for us to raise this level somewhat further. Either foreign languages should not be taught at all and everything should be conducted only in our native language, or if we bring this language to the country's agenda and educational platform, it is advisable to maintain it at a higher level.”
