The National Assessment will be conducted using the Item Response Theory (IRT) Methodology

Within the framework of the I2Q Project and with support from the World Bank, test items and a comprehensive test item bank will be developed to assess students’ learning outcomes across all subject groups at the basic level of general education.

To facilitate this process, the National Assessment and Examination Center (NAEC) is receiving expert support from international specialists from IBF Expertise S.A. A total of 167 local experts selected by NAEC have participated in an intensive training program led by Eduardo Cascallar, an international expert and specialist in national assessments.

In April, over a two-week period, item writers underwent this training program designed to provide them with the methodology and skills necessary to develop high-quality test items based on modern testing theories, specifically IRT. The first week of training focused on the IRT methodology and relevant approaches, while the second week was dedicated to practical work. During this time, international and local experts collaborated to design test items for each subject, establish assessment criteria, determine item complexity, and ensure the content aligns with the intended learning outcomes. The goal was to incorporate essential skills such as critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge alongside factual content.

The national assessment at the basic level of general education in Georgia is set to commence in 2027, employing the IRT methodology recommended by the international expert from IBF Expertise S.A., which has been successfully implemented in many other countries. Five experts from the consulting company will work closely with local subject-area experts to create a robust bank of items.

As a result of this collaborative effort, a final product will be developed – a comprehensive bank of test items for the six subject groups/twelve subjects at the basic level for the X grade.

Additionally, training sessions were conducted for another crucial group: the members of the Evaluation Committee for the Test Items Bank. The purpose of this committee is to review and, if necessary, improve the developed test items. The retraining of committee members was also facilitated by international expert Eduardo Cascallar.