2023-09-15 18:34:52
In a significant shift in the university admissions system, students across the country face a new transformation when choosing their major. The old tradition of relying exclusively on the standardized ‘Transform’ exam has given way to a more diversified and personalized approach. In this new panorama, the universities themselves have assumed the responsibility of evaluating applicants, which has marked a fundamental change in the way in which students enter Higher Education. How is the quota system working?
Background. In 2011, the modification of the Organic Law of Higher Education was approved and, from that moment, the National Leveling and Admission System started the evaluation called ‘Ser Bachiller’ which, later, became called ‘Transform’. This evaluation system was eliminated last year as part of President Guillermo Lasso’s campaign proposal.
System. Instead of relying solely on a single test, entities such as the National University of Chimborazo and the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo now design and administer their own assessments. These tests can vary in content and format, depending on the institution, and are mainly divided into two categories: knowledge tests and reasoning tests.
According to the Espoch Admission and Leveling Center, the institution has adopted the knowledge evaluation system, which allows them to assess the intellect of applicants in the following subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, entrepreneurship, citizenship, history and language. On the other hand, the Unach contemplates the assessment of logical reasoning skills, numerical reasoning, verbal aptitude and the ability to pay attention and concentration. For Carlos R., this type of evaluation allows us to determine a series of skills in students such as their level of reflection and resolution of all types of problems; ability to interpret data, reading comprehension and concentration.
Punctuation. The application grade, according to Michael A., a teacher at a pre-university institute, depends more on the performance of the students in school, “the Baccalaureate grade represents 60% to 75% of the total grade with which the students will apply. “Guys, that’s where they and their parents should increase their attention and improve their performance.” This percentage also depends on each university, so students must evaluate their options taking into account, to a greater extent, their academic average obtained at the end of their Baccalaureate.
Process. After the elimination of the ‘Transform’ exam, the current admission process to Higher Education in Ecuador began with the National Registry of high school graduates on its respective platform, which was activated from July 17 to 30. After that, students should remain attentive to the schedule of the universities of their interest and their particular application process.
Preparation. For Daleila E., a young student, the diversification of tests has meant more effort and confusion, since they must be prepared according to the requirements of the different universities, “as it is already an independent test, it is more difficult, the topics are much broader and “We need more preparation time.” Most students enter private classes months before the exams; However, some of them do not obtain a good grade to choose the career of their choice. Melany Coronado took the Espoch admission exam on August 24 and, despite her dedication, her application was denied. “They allowed us to apply for five races, but they did not clarify that only the first would be taken into account, and the score for that one did not advance me,” she expressed with marked disappointment.
Disorganization. Furthermore, the students who took this exam showed their annoyance and disappointment when recounting their experience, since the university had provided them with a bank of questions with 1,266 sheets, just one week before the exam, and “that last week we studied from 9 from the morning to 6 in the afternoon to try to review everything, the worst thing was that the university published the test date only two days before,” said Coronado. This is also explained by Cinthya, a student who attended the institution’s meetings to carry out the evaluation. She mentioned that there were several misunderstandings regarding the organization and distribution of classrooms and computers. “Some classmates had problems with the system, so they were given extra points as compensation.” As this is the first time that this new system is launched, universities are in a process of adaptation that should be improved with practice.
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