Starting from 2027, students will be required to write essays in foreign language subjects during graduation exams. This change is considered a serious innovation in the exam model and is evaluated as one of the factors that will directly affect students' results.
Among students, opinions are already being voiced that after this change, it will be almost impossible to score 700 points, and applicants achieving maximum results will not be encountered.
It is interesting, how exactly will the introduction of essay writing affect students' chances of scoring maximum points?
Speaking to AzEdu.az on the topic, education expert Mazahir Mammadli noted that scoring 700 points is not the main criterion:
“In general, the State Examination Center introducing 'innovations' to the exam system every few years always creates stress and tension for both applicants and their parents.
Scoring 700 points is not the main criterion. Experience shows that there are applicants and students who were admitted to higher education institutions with 700 points but could not successfully continue their education. In this regard, 700 points has become a priority indicator mainly in determining the ranking of secondary schools.
At the same time, most students who score above 650 points experience socialization problems; they have difficulty communicating, and face difficulties in securing a position in the labor market and building a career in the future.
According to statistics, the number of people who have scored 700 points to date is approximately 117-118. One of them became a martyr, and several others went to European countries to expand their opportunities. There is no precise information about what activities the others are engaged in. Consequently, 700 points is mostly used as an indicator for admission to a higher education institution and to bring a certain prestige, ranking, and success to the school."
The long duration of essay checking can create additional stress and tension:
“In connection with the new rule to be applied in foreign language subjects from 2027, it is important for the State Examination Center (SEC) to first evaluate its own capabilities. Because this innovation can create certain difficulties. For example, checking open-ended questions in Azerbaijani language took one and a half months, and in some cases even longer.
In a situation where there is a shortage of English language teachers in schools, and also certain doubts about their knowledge and preparation level (this point is indirectly confirmed by official bodies), the question arises as to who will check the essays and open-ended questions in English, and how long this process will take.
This situation can lead to additional stress and tension. Because I believe that the State Examination Center has limited capabilities to quickly prepare enough marker teachers and carry out the process efficiently.
In this regard, it would be more appropriate for the State Examination Center to prioritize the expansion of electronic applications in the exam system. In this case, students could immediately learn their results as soon as they finish the exam and be informed about the points they scored. This would allow them to plan the next stages, whether it's the block exam or specialty selection, more easily."
After this, the burning enthusiasm among applicants for claims like 300 and 700 points will most likely fade in 2027:
“The State Examination Center must reconsider both the issue related to these rules and its overall activity. Serious concerns have already arisen regarding the third specialty group. A part of those who applied to the third group has shifted to the first group. If we look at this year's statistics, we will see that there are many more applications for the first group compared to last year, while the number in the third group has decreased. At the same time, rumors are circulating in society that the third group may be abolished altogether.
I return again to the issue planned for implementation in 2027: these changes will not allow for high results as before, and after this, the burning enthusiasm among applicants for claims like 300 and 700 points will most likely finally fade in 2027.”
