Due to issues in test administration during last year’s admission cycle, Oxford University has decided to sever ties with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The University explained: “Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates during the delivery of this year’s online admissions tests by a new provider, TCS will not be involved in the delivery of Oxford admissions tests going forward.”
Oxford’s admissions tests were previously managed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) until it withdrew last year, citing problems with affordability and increasing complexity of the exams. In response, the University partnered with TCS to replace CAAT and modernise test delivery through digitisation.
TCS was criticised by students and teachers for the technical errors that plagued last year’s admissions tests. Examples include the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) taking more than two hours longer for some students due to recurring glitches, and the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) accidentally giving students last year’s rubric with the wrong themes listed for the passages.
In response, the Mathematics department decided to offer a supplementary test for students that wished to be re-examined, while the English and Geography departments annulled their respective exams entirely.
The University told Cherwell: “This decision has been made following careful consideration of the issues, as well as feedback from candidates, teachers and test centres. Our priority is to ensure a high-quality experience for all candidates and those involved in supporting them, and we are grateful to the students and their teachers for their patience during this process. Details of the new arrangements will be communicated in the Spring, at the start of the next admissions round.”
The webpage for admissions tests currently states: “We are now working on alternative options for 2024 and beyond and will communicate the new arrangements as soon as possible and no later than the start of the new admissions cycle in early Spring.”
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