A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL TESTING AGENCIES: STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS, AND EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The paper examines the structure, functions and challenges of testing agencies in Pakistan and also places them within international comparative framework. International assessments are psychometrically sound, transparent and centralized practices can be found in such agencies as the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in United States and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in the United Kingdom. In Pakistan, however, Higher Education commission, Education testing Council (ETC), National Testing Service (NTS), provincial boards have been dysfunctional, over reliance on rote based multiple choice testing, crippled with bad governance and poor technological application. This paper, with a qualitative method of document analysis, discloses the shared problems of ineffectiveness, duplication and transparency that undermine the confidence of the population and the fairness among the students. Comparative insights of the study indicate that there is a need to introduce the reforms centered on the psychometric rigor, digital innovation, and central governance. Such findings suggest that a re-branding of Pakistani testing agencies in the light of the international patterns can assist in many ways in enhancing transparency, justice, and international recognition of the national qualification.