Universal Model of a Key Professional Task for IT Specialists in the System of Secondary Vocational Education in the Format of a Demonstration Exam

Introduction. Modern trends in the development of the system of secondary vocational education (SVE) have led to a growing demand for highly qualified IT specialists capable of addressing real-world industrial tasks. The demonstration exam has become an important tool for the independent assessment of professional competencies and a driver of quality improvements in training, as it necessitates changes in curriculum content. However, traditional educational tasks often fail to reflect the complexity of actual professional activities. This article highlights the relevance of developing a universal model for a key professional task used in the final assessment of IT specialists, aimed at ensuring a practice-oriented approach to training and an objective evaluation of learning outcomes. Materials and methods. The study is based on the analysis of scientific literature, federal state educational standards, professional standards in the IT field, and the principles of the software development life cycle. Methods of bibliographic, comparative, descriptive, and generalizing analysis were applied. Results. A universal model of formulating a key professional task in the format of a specification is proposed. The model incorporates employer requirements, reflects real-world industry needs, and aligns with the software development life cycle. It fosters the development of project-based thinking among students and ensures the creation of transparent assessment criteria for professional performance demonstrated during the final certification (in the form of a demonstration exam). The model structure provides a holistic view of the development process by integrating tasks from requirement analysis to final product quality verification. A critical evaluation of the model reveals its prospects for promoting positive changes in student readiness for real-world working conditions. Discussion and conclusion. The proposed model may serve as a foundation for new approaches to structuring final certification and organizing the training of IT specialists within the SVE system. Its implementation is expected to overcome existing contradictions between actual industry practices and current educational processes, thereby ensuring that graduates are fully prepared to address professional challenges.