The National Center of Evaluation for Higher Education (CENEVAL) and the External Evaluation of Mexican Education

Abstract

The National Center for the Evaluation of Higher Education (CENEVAL) has developed and set in motion a series of examinations which permits the evaluation of students when they complete their Bachelor’s level education. The General Examination for Bachelor’s Degree Graduates (EGEL) explores the essential knowledge and abilities required to begin professional practice. The claims in favor of applying the EGEL exam stand on its usefulness as an external evaluation instrument which permits students and institutions to verify efficacy and achievement in accordance to national standards. The evaluation of graduates with the EGEL complements the universities’ own certification of students. The preceding allows the author to propose that in the immediate future, there be established standards in the educational institutions or laws in the country supporting the double evaluation of graduates: one internal, applied by their own higher education institution (HEI); and another external, conducted by joint bodies (government, professional bodies, specialized agencies, etc..).