Admissions testingIn 2004, Cambridge Assessment introduced a system of evaluating candidates for competitive entry to a variety of institutions and professions - Admissions tests. According to the University, the purpose of these tests is to;
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The tests were developed from the organisation having done research into the uses and testing of thinking skills. Their examination board, OCR, was already offering an examination based on a syllabus that helped to prepare students for such testing - Critical Thinking. In admissions testing, many candidates are also interviewed, or have to write essays.
The skills and abilities required to pass these tests can be coached, something I have done so for more than 10 years.
The skills and abilities required to pass these tests can be coached, something I have done so for more than 10 years.
Case studies
A candidate for Oxbridge was asked at interview to say what the population of her home town was. Having been prepared, she was able to interrogate the question, asking the questioner to explain what was meant by ‘population’, was it of voters, transients, residents? When was the assessment to be made? Before school and the working day had begun, during the night?
The question as it was posed could not be answered, instead the intention of asking it was purely to determine the critical awareness of the candidate.
Another candidate for a medical school was asked “Should cosmetic surgery be available on the NHS.?”
This question tests if a student who has studied hard for the A level grades needed to enter medicine as a profession is contextually aware. Cosmetic surgery competes for resources. It seems unfair at face value that, say, tattoo removal should take resources that could otherwise be used for treating chronic childhood conditions. A deeper consideration may reveal that there are many sorts of surgery that are described as cosmetic, but are also therapeutic. Facial reconstruction following an assault for example. It is important to be able to see beyond the face value in these interviews.
The question as it was posed could not be answered, instead the intention of asking it was purely to determine the critical awareness of the candidate.
Another candidate for a medical school was asked “Should cosmetic surgery be available on the NHS.?”
This question tests if a student who has studied hard for the A level grades needed to enter medicine as a profession is contextually aware. Cosmetic surgery competes for resources. It seems unfair at face value that, say, tattoo removal should take resources that could otherwise be used for treating chronic childhood conditions. A deeper consideration may reveal that there are many sorts of surgery that are described as cosmetic, but are also therapeutic. Facial reconstruction following an assault for example. It is important to be able to see beyond the face value in these interviews.