BAKU, July 21 — After nearly two decades of absence, the essay—a once-essential pillar of Azerbaijan’s education system—is making a comeback. The State Examination Center (SEC) has officially announced that essays will be reintroduced into the university entrance examination format, starting with graduate school admissions.
Natig Aliyev, head of the SEC’s examination department, confirmed the decision, stating that the reform would begin at the master’s level before expanding to broader areas of the academic assessment process.
Why the Change Now?
The move raises eyebrows: Why is the same institution that discarded essays as outdated 17 years ago now reversing course? According to education expert Gafar Amirov, the reintroduction is not a return to the past but an overdue correction.
“Essays are a modernized, concise evolution of the traditional composition. They’re designed to assess language proficiency, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking,” Amirov explained. “The dominance of test-based systems has deprived an entire generation of the ability to express thoughts clearly and critically.”
Skills Lost in a Digital Age
Amirov pointed out that today’s students, immersed in social media and often reliant on pre-written content, have grown increasingly detached from the practice of structured, thoughtful communication. “Essays offer a necessary antidote,” he said. “They help restore essential skills like argument construction, logical flow, and clarity of expression.”
The benefits aren’t just academic. According to Amirov, students with strong writing and critical thinking skills are more adaptable in the workplace and more likely to thrive professionally.
A Look Back
From 1992 to 2008, essay writing was a standard part of both final and university entrance exams in Azerbaijan, particularly in the Azerbaijani language subject. Evaluators looked at several criteria: grammatical accuracy, logical structure, coherence, and originality of thought.
In 2009, the SEC—then known as the State Student Admission Commission—eliminated essays in favor of a fully test-based format, citing standardization and objectivity. Critics, however, argue that the move prioritized efficiency over depth.
What’s Next?
While many educators welcome the return of the essay, some have raised concerns about implementation. Questions remain over grading consistency, examiner training, and ensuring fairness across language and regional lines.
Still, the general consensus among experts is that this reform is a step in the right direction.
“The ability to think critically and communicate effectively is no longer optional—it’s fundamental,” said Amirov. “The return of the essay brings us closer to an education system that values human expression as much as it does facts.”
Whether this shift signals a broader transformation in Azerbaijan’s education philosophy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: students will once again need to master the art of written thought.
