The Education Evaluation Authority launches readiness tests for 68,000 students
The Education and Training Evaluation Commission announced the start of the “Readiness” program tests for the current academic year at the beginning of next week, in a step aimed at measuring educational outcomes and enhancing their quality. These tests are being administered for the fourth consecutive year as part of a comprehensive national strategy to evaluate academic performance in higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Wide range and standard participation
The authority revealed that the current version of the tests targets a broad segment of students expected to graduate with bachelor's degrees, with more than 68,000 students from over 50 public and private universities and colleges participating. The tests cover more than 700 academic programs across 51 specialized fields, making it one of the largest benchmarking processes for higher education outcomes at the national level.
Aligning education with Vision 2030
The importance of the “Readiness” program is not limited to its role as a measurement tool; it is a fundamental pillar within the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program , one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030. The program primarily aims to bridge the gap between university education outputs and the demands of the rapidly evolving labor market, through:
- Measuring the level of basic knowledge and skills of graduates.
- Providing universities with accurate data that helps in developing study plans.
- Raising the readiness of graduates to engage in the quality jobs generated by the national economy.
Comprehensive coverage of vital specialties
The authority explained that the tests were designed to cover a wide range of disciplines that form the backbone of the modern economy, and were divided into several main tracks:
- The engineering and technical track includes civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, as well as future specializations such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and computer science.
- The Finance and Business track covers the disciplines of accounting, finance and investment, economics, insurance and risk management, and actuarial mathematics, along with public administration and marketing.
- Science and Arts: This includes basic sciences (physics, chemistry, biology), media and communication, law, English language, and translation, in addition to tourism and archaeology specializations that support the Kingdom’s tourism orientation.
Expected impact and strategic partnerships
This national program is implemented in conjunction with the Council of University Affairs and in collaboration with multiple national entities, ensuring the comprehensiveness and reliability of the results. The results of these tests are expected to contribute to improving the academic ranking of Saudi universities and enhancing employers' confidence in the competence of graduates, which will positively impact employment rates and sustainable economic development in the Kingdom.
