26 November 2008
This November over 11,000 candidates worldwide – a record number – have taken one of the university admissions tests developed and administered by Cambridge Assessment.
Admission tests evaluate specific skills required to do well on certain higher education courses and programmes.
In response to requests from the higher education institutions, Cambridge Assessment has been providing research-led, evidence based admission tests for major higher education institutions for over 20 years.
Following successful piloting of ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) in 2007/08 to help Oxford University with selection for applicants to undergraduate courses in English Language and Literature and combined English degrees, it has been taken up again for the 2009 year entrants.
Speaking about the growing numbers taking Cambridge Assessment's university admissions tests, Suki Gahir, Senior Operations Manager, said: "We're very pleased at the success of the tests, with numbers of candidates at an all-time high. The higher education institutions that Cambridge Assessment works with are over-subscribed and our tests assist the institutions when selecting from large numbers of equally well-qualified candidates. The admissions tests provide a valid indicator of candidates' future academic success and suitability for the course."
Cambridge Assessment develops and administers a range of assessments including subject-specific tests, such as the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) and generic tests such as the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment).
Cumulatively since 2003, over 55,000 candidates have sat one of Cambridge Assessment's admissions tests.