Abstract

In the early 1990s, the European order which had prevailed since the end of World War II underwent a dramatic shift. Most notably, the Soviet Union and the Yugoslav Republic collapsed, with the resulting states becoming open to western influence in many spheres. One outcome has been the emergence of an examinations industry that was, to all intents and purposes, previously unknown. Many new national assessment agencies have been established, primarily to develop centralised exams to replace the various selection tests formerly set by universities. Those responsible have had to balance the desire to produce assessment systems that promote better teaching and learning with the need to maintain the highest levels of security – especially given the great fear of corruption that persists across the region.

This presentation shows some of the solutions that have evolved and, in particular, describes how the young examining agencies of the post-socialist states have adopted innovative technological solutions which may be of interest to our own ‘heritage’ boards.