Cambridge could bring back entry test

CAMBRIDGE University is considering bringing back a universal entry test to identify the brightest students amid a rise in those obtaining top A-level grades, according to reports.

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

It would include a language aptitude test and an assessment of “thinking skills”. It would also include multiple choice questions and a 45-minute essay, according to a report in The Sunday Times.

Barbara Sahakian, a professor of experimental psychiatry, said: “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, other academics expressed concern the test would disadvantage state pupils as they are less likely to get extra preparation for it than their privately educated peers.

Sir Richard Evans, regius professor of history at Cambridge, said 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.”