Vol. 459 No. 7
48 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Education the further consideration, if any, she has given to the implementation of a scholastic aptitude test as part of a radical review of the points system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18778/95]
The admission of students to third level education programmes is a matter for the third level institutions.
The points system was devised by the institutions of higher education as the most equitable way to allocate places to students. The major strength of the system is that it is objective, efficient and transparent and accordingly enjoys a high level of public confidence among parents and students. It rewards achievement in the leaving certificate without reference to social position, school attended or other subjective factors.
The introduction of a scholastic aptitude test as an admission requirement would be a matter in the first instance for individual institutions to consider, having regard to the academic and other requirements specified for entry to particular courses; the practicalities of introducing such tests; and whether such tests would improve the efficiency, simplicity, fairness and transparency of the present selection process.
