Cambridge 'to bring back entry tests'

Cambridge University is considering re-introducing a universal entry test to be able to spot the brightest students amid a rise in those obtaining top A-level grades, according to reports.

The entrance exam would have to be sat by all applicants while still at school to give evidence of their academic achievements.

The Russell Group university would include a language aptitude test and a thinking-skills assessment as part of the university-wide exam. It would also include multiple choice questions and a 45-minute essay, the Sunday Times reported.

Some academics are concerned over the validity of A-level results to secure a place at a top university amid growing competition.

Barbara Sahakian, professor of experimental psychiatry, told the Sunday Times: “What people are concerned about is whether the A-level exam results still mean quite the same thing as they used to mean. There are a lot of students getting very high grades but not all of them would have got those grades in the past, so it is hard to discriminate between candidates.”

However, some expressed concerns the new test would put state pupils in a disadvantageous position because they are less likely to get the right training to prepare for it compared to their privately educated peers.

But in recent times there has been improvement in the number of pupils from state schools being admitted to the top university with the numbers rising from roughly 50 per cent to 60.6 per cent.

Sir Richard Evans, regius professor of history at Cambridge, told the publication he was also worried that the exam would place older applicants “at a severe disadvantage.”

A university spokesman said: “The university is considering all options but has made no decisions. We already use admissions tests for some subjects and the option of introducing wider testing is part of discussions about how to adapt to [A-level reforms].

“Whatever decision is taken, all applicants will continue to be assessed holistically.”