Entrance exams are back for Oxford University:
Oxford University is moving to reintroduce entrance tests for history and English in the latest assault on the credibility of the A-level system as a means of identifying bright pupils. The move comes just nine years after the university scrapped its entrance examinations amid concern that they favoured independent school pupils.
Though the university insists the new tests will measure aptitude and not knowledge, the change is certain to provoke renewed criticism that the system will once again favour those with a privileged education, hindering government-driven efforts to widen access to elite universities.
By "privileged education" the critics must mean "education that results in applicants being able to read college-level material:"
The new Oxford-only history test is expected to be sat by pupils in schools and colleges in November, allowing admissions tutors to whittle down applicant numbers before inviting candidates for interview. The university's English faculty is canvassing schools over a similar test in English, though this would not be introduced before the 2005 admissions round...
Some academics say they have been forced into the move because examination boards release only grades and not detailed A-level marks.
The university insists its proposed tests will be different from the old entrance exam, abolished in 1995, which offered candidates a long list of essay questions on a range of authors or historical periods. Instead, the tests are likely to present students with a text to analyse in order to assess whether they have the skills re quired for studying the subject.
In other words, reading comprehension skills in the area in which the student hopes to study. If only "privileged" students in the UK learn to do this, I feel sorry for the rest.
However, Oxford's decision to go it alone with bespoke history tests will underline fears that dissatisfaction with A-levels will lead to a proliferation of entrance exams required by top-level universities.
Prof Schwartz, whose report is due on April 5, warned in a speech last week against the sprouting of numerous separate exams which could prove unreliable, invalid, or put off poorer students if taking them involved travel to the university concerned.
Professor Schwartz' concern that universities might develop inadequate tests for admissions purposes is a valid one. However, I seriously doubt that's what's at the root of hostility towards testing in the UK. I suspect that, as in the US, testing critics are driven mainly by a dislike of objective standards.
Posted by kswygert at March 25, 2004 12:13 PM