Pakistan to launch AI-enabled testing system for EPS-TOPIK from 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Employment Permit System (EPS) Center has announced that it will formally introduce and implement a tablet-based Ubiquitous-Based Test (UBT) system for the EPS-TOPIK examination starting in 2026, replacing the existing Computer-Based Testing (CBT) framework.

The initiative marks a major technological upgrade in the testing mechanism used for assessing candidates seeking employment opportunities abroad, particularly in South Korea under the Employment Permit System.

According to officials, the new UBT system represents a next-generation digital examination platform designed to conduct large-scale assessments through a secure closed wireless local network, eliminating the need for live internet connectivity. The system will enable real-time coordination between supervisors’ control devices and individual test-takers’ tablets, ensuring smooth and efficient exam operations.

A key feature of the upgraded system is the integration of artificial intelligence-based facial recognition and live monitoring tools, which are expected to significantly enhance examination security, reduce malpractice risks, and ensure transparency and fairness in the testing process.

Officials said Pakistan’s inclusion as an inaugural country for the 2026 rollout reflects both the rising demand for the Korean language EPS-TOPIK test and the operational challenges posed by inconsistent electricity supply and fluctuating internet connectivity in certain regions.

The UBT system has been designed to address these constraints through built-in data backup and recovery mechanisms. Even in the event of sudden power failures or localized network disruptions, candidates’ test progress and data will remain securely stored, ensuring continuity and reliability throughout the examination process.

A representative of the Pakistan EPS Center said the transition would significantly reduce operational costs and logistical burdens associated with traditional fixed CBT centres.

“The introduction of the UBT system relieves us of the financial and logistical challenges of maintaining large-scale computer-based testing facilities,” the official said. “We can now conduct secure and flexible examinations using portable, state-of-the-art equipment.”

He added that the EPS Center plans to expand testing facilities nationwide in collaboration with the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), with a focus on increasing accessibility for candidates in remote and underserved areas.

“Going forward, we aim to decentralise test centres across the country to reduce travel costs and physical burden on applicants from distant regions,” the representative said.

Officials further noted that the broader objective of the initiative is to modernise Pakistan’s overseas employment testing infrastructure, improve efficiency, and ensure equal access to opportunities for all candidates, regardless of geographic location.

The rollout of the UBT system is expected to represent a significant step in digitising public examination systems in Pakistan, aligning them with global standards of secure, technology-driven assessment.