85% of students applying to Oxford this autumn will face an admissions test before interview, according to the University’s director of admissions.
In an interview with The Guardian, Mike Nicholson said that 70% of the subjects offered for 2013 entry at Oxford would require candidates to sit “some form of aptitude test”.
Materials Science, a course which has seen 40% growth in entries in the last half decade, will use an aptitude test for the first time this autumn.
The proportion of applicants to be assessed represents a steady increase from 60-65% of entries three years ago. This growing figure is “predominantly driven by the significant increase in applications over the last five years”, with “clumping” around the most competitive courses, such as Economics and Management.
This figure could rise further if more courses receive in excess of four applicants per place.
“More about diversity”
Oxford abolished entrance exams in 1995, but has slowly re-introduced ways of sifting out true ability in certain subjects as applicant numbers have skyrocketed.
While Nicholson acknowledges that the tests are designed to offer insights about candidates beyond the limitations of A-level results, he insists that increased testing is “more [about] the diversity of our applicant pool”.
“About 70% of our candidates take A-level. 30% don’t, and it’s the 30% that don’t that’s been an increasing figure. So in part, the tests benchmark the candidates against each other within a discipline so that we don’t have to try and make up complicated algorithms to offset what the German Abitur is against US SAT against the International Baccalaureate.”
Oxford University emphasised that there is “no set weighting or percentage” assigned to tests in relation to factors such as predicted grades, references, and interview performance.
The trend comes as the coalition government continues to review the adequacy of 14-19 qualifications.
Cherwell contacted Ofqual, the exam watchdog, who stated, “Our research shows that A-levels are well thought of by universities and are considered broadly fit for purpose. Certain areas can be improved, and we are looking into higher education having more involvement in developing and designing A-levels.
“It is right that universities can use additional selection measures to help them identify the right students for their courses.”
“Not an extra barrier”
OUSU’s Vice President for Access and Academic Affairs, David Messling, told Cherwell, “It shows steps in the right direction towards an ever more discerning and individual admissions process. As Oxford seeks much more information on a candidate, it’s in an even better position to admit students on their academic potential.
“There’s still more work to do – there’s a challenge to ensure that candidates and schools know that these tests are about giving more opportunities to show potential, and not an extra barrier.”
Cherwell spoke to Ssuuna Ggolooba-Mutebi, a student starting A-levels at a comprehensive in northwest London. He was initially daunted, “considering A-Levels are hard enough without one having to think about reading far ahead”.
However, upon explanation, he welcomed the opportunity to “think outside the box”, commenting that, “such questions shouldn’t be undoable for someone who really knows what they have learnt at school and is actually interested in the subject.”
Oriel historian David Mason, a former attendee of Oxford’s access summer school, voiced his reassurances. “While some applicants, particularly from disadvantaged schools, could be deterred from applying by the perception that there is another hurdle in their path, there is no need to see it that way.
“The tests are essentially meritocratic. I am informed that, in some subjects at least, final aptitude scores combine your test score with a contextualised GCSE score, and so actually benefits people from disadvantaged schools.”
