THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MATHEMATICS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIFIED NATIONAL TESTING

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of the role and significance of mathematics in Kazakhstan's Unified National Testing (hereinafter - UNT) since its introduction in 2004. The UNT serves as a key tool for assessing the knowledge of high school graduates and selecting applicants for universities. The importance of mathematics as a mandatory subject is emphasized, reflecting the level of preparation and analytical abilities of students. Changes in the structure and content of the mathematics section of the UNT are analyzed, including the number of questions, maximum scores, and test formats. Special attention is given to innovations such as the increase in the number of mandatory subjects in 2008 and the introduction of logical reasoning tasks in 2012, aimed at assessing not only knowledge but also the ability for non-standard thinking and the application of theoretical knowledge in practice. The impact of these changes on the assessment of mathematical education quality and the requirements for graduate preparation is explored. A comparative analysis of mathematics and mathematical literacy results from 2017 to 2023 is presented. The article highlights the continuous improvement of the UNT as a tool for objective assessment and fair selection, reflecting modern educational trends.