4 tests can replace EMSAT to evaluate students' knowledge...

Mohammed Ibrahim. Staff reporter

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has revealed that universities can use four standardized tests to evaluate students’ knowledge, abilities and skills following the cancellation of the Emirates Standardized Assessment Test (EMSAT).

The most notable of these are TOEFL, SAT, TOEFL iBT and IELTS for English skills.

The ministry has indicated that universities have been given greater autonomy in determining admissions criteria, with the aim of attracting students whose academic and professional ambitions match the academic requirements of the institution.

Each university therefore has the power to set its own admission criteria, independently of other institutions.

Consequently, it is incumbent on students and parents to familiarize themselves with the admission requirements of each university and to determine the specific academic specialization in question, through direct communication with the relevant universities, to ensure that they meet the requirement standards in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Scholarships

It clarified that the attendance or cancellation of the EmSAT test is not a condition for obtaining scholarships at universities, as each university determines the conditions and requirements for scholarships in accordance with its internal regulations.

It is therefore incumbent on students and parents to inform themselves about the scholarship requirements of each university, depending on the academic specialization in question, by communicating directly with the relevant universities.

It is the responsibility of each university to publish its admission criteria on its website, facilitating access to this information for students.

Equivalence system

The ministry has announced changes to the equivalency system requirements for twelfth grade students in private schools following the US curriculum, following the cancellation of the EMSAT test.

Students in this curriculum must now pass the English language tests and one of two English language tests: TOEFL with a score of no less than 61 or the SAT 1-Math Reasoning Test with a score of no less than 450.

Admission requirements

As stated on the website, after the cancellation of EmSAT, the admission requirements for students are more focused on the marks obtained in the scientific subjects related to the specialization in high school, rather than on the total percentage or EmSAT score obtained in the twelfth class.

It also highlighted the crucial role that universities play in qualifying students who need additional support to participate in their university studies. Students may be admitted and enrolled in remedial courses and programs that will enable them to acquire the necessary knowledge to embark on the desired specialization.

The ministry also stated that the withdrawal decision makes it necessary for universities to be given more flexibility in determining their admission criteria, in accordance with their specific requirements.

This would allow them to take responsibility for setting the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, it has been clarified that there are no plans to introduce alternative standardized tests. Instead, universities are encouraged to conduct rehabilitation and bridging programs to assist students in obtaining the required qualifications for admission to their programs.

In addition, the ministry stated that it will continue to monitor the admissions process, with the aim of ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of the assessment of students’ knowledge and abilities.

In addition, it develops assessment standards for universities based on their outcomes. This will facilitate the improvement of the quality of higher education, rather than focusing on a single standardized test for admission, as was previously the case.