A comparative analyzing language sufficeiancy test in Kazakhstan and Türkiye

The Kazakh language has been shaped by various socio-political processes throughout history. Particularly from the late 19th century onwards, Kazakhstan's time under the rule of the Russian Empire and subsequently the Soviet Union had a profound impact on the Kazakh language. During this period, the promotion of Russian and the restriction of Kazakh language use accelerated the process of linguistic assimilation. In the Soviet era, Russian became the dominant language in many areas, from education to public services, leading to a decline in the use of the Kazakh language. With Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, national identity and language revitalization became key priorities. Various policies were implemented to strengthen the status of the Kazakh language, with education and language proficiency exams being crucial components of this process. In this context, the QAZTEST exam was developed to measure the language proficiency of individuals learning or seeking to improve their Kazakh language skills. QAZTEST contributes to the effective implementation of state policies by enabling the measurement and standardization of Kazakh language proficiency. The QAZTEST exam shares similarities with the Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS). While TYS aims to assess the language skills of individuals learning Turkish as a foreign language, QAZTEST is applicable to individuals learning Kazakh as their native language or as a foreign language. Both exams assess the four basic skills of language (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Both exams scale language levels from A1 to C1 (beginner to advanced). However, while TYS focuses on Turkey's international student and workforce needs, QAZTEST primarily aims to support national identity and state language policies. Comparing both exams is important for understanding how language proficiency exams are shaped at national and international levels. While TYS facilitates the global spread of Turkish, QAZTEST promotes the widespread use of the Kazakh language within society. The content structure, implementation methods, and evaluation criteria of both exams are tailored to these distinct objectives. This study aims to highlight the similarities and differences between the QAZTEST and TYS exams by analyzing their significance in terms of education policies and language sustainability.