MOEX presented a report on promoting digital transformation for national exams at the 72nd meeting of the Examination Yuan’s 13th term today. Attending Ministers without Portfolio discussed issues related to funding, urban-rural gap, exam categories which would be impacted by digital transformation, implementation schedule, human resources, and information security. While MOEX has promoted digitalization for more than two decades, issues such as exam administration, exam question drafting and answering, and candidate information security involve more complexity and require more careful planning. Examination Yuan President Huang Jong-tsun suggested steady steps be taken and impacts of digitalization be reviewed on a regular basis.

MOEX has established a team for national exam digital transformation in 2021, called meetings with experts and scholars, and hosted ministry meetings to reach consensuses. It has also projected a 10-year commitment for national exam digital transformation. The vision is to “digitalize national exams and further promote open data.” Five goals have been set: digitalized exam administration, expanded computer-based testing, enhanced open data for national exams, increased digital transformation collaboration, and improved information security. Five strategies and 14 actions plans are developed after existing practice has been reviewed and internal advantages and disadvantages, external opportunities and risks have been analyzed.

According to MOEX, the digital transformation project has kicked off in 2022. Short term (2022-2024) focus will be on promoting computer-based testing for essay questions and online application processes, including paperless registration, appointment of committee members, and exam paper management. Mid-term (2025-2031) goals include expanding computer-based testing to more exam categories, establishing mobile computer-based testing centers, and promoting remote working for tasks including exam question drafting, oral testing, and exam paper grading. The ministry will continue promoting a fair, secure, and forward-looking digital transformation while maintaining information applications and security.