Test a boost for students

MONASH University has adopted a new aptitude test that will provide alternative access to university for students from Victoria’s southeast.
UniTEST will mean that as many as 500 more students will be allowed to apply to study at Monash University’s Berwick campus.
It tests decision making, problem solving, argument analysis, interpretation, sociocultural understanding and ability to deal with information as a means of gauging participants’ potential to succeed at university.
The test has been developed jointly by the Australian Council for Educational Research and Cambridge Assessment in the United Kingdom.
Five universities in the UK piloted uniTEST earlier this year after a national review recommended admission tests should be used as an additional selection tool for universities.
Early results from the pilot show the test identified a large pool of applicants who had the aptitude to study at university, but weren’t applying.
Monash senior deputy vicechancellor Professor Stephen Parker said the use of aptitude tests was consistent with the university’s commitment to admit the best students, irrespective of their means and circumstances.
“We believe using aptitude tests will both improve access to university, and identify highly capable students with the potential to succeed,” he said.
“Our prediction is that uniTEST entrants will perform well, as the test is rigorous.”
The university will monitor the academic performance of uniTEST entrants to determine future use of aptitude tests in admission to Monash.
Sixtytwo schools in the east and southeast have been invited to apply to have year 12 students sit the test.