This year, O-Net and A-Net scores account for 70 per cent while the grade-point average (GPA) and cumulative grade-point average (GPAX) make up the rest, when applying for a university place.

In the face of the ongoing turmoil, Dr Utumporn Jamornmann, who helped design the current system, answered the following questions:

Is the admission system you planned far from what has happened?

This year's university-admission system is quite similar to our plan in principle. It's just that problems arose during the implementation.

What are the problems?

They largely involve the NIETS management. NIETS is a new organisation and the O-Net and A-Net are such a huge task.

NIETS was not established to conduct the university-admission system but they both took shape around the same time. The body has a duty to conduct national tests because it assesses the quality of schools. Then the authorities agreed that it would be preferable if NIETS conducted the tests and used the results for university admission.

What about complaints that the grading standards differ among schools? Is it going to be fair for students if the GPA and GPAX are used as the main admission criteria?

We have planned the admission system to respond to the needs of students and universities. Universities need to know a student's performance and we are trying to make it most convenient by using information the students already have. We ask if the senior secondary education GPA and GPAX reflect a student's performance. If yes, then why don't we use them?

If there are different grading standards among schools, it is the duty of the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) to solve the problem. We understand there's no easy solution, so we came up with the O-Net and A-Net.

As long as the different grading standards exist, we will have to find a formula to counter the difference.

What is the future of the admission system?

I still think it should go ahead. We have come a long way. Such changes cannot be implemented overnight and we have to be patient. We know there are many problems to be solved but we must do it. We can't just switch back and forth when problems arise. If we didn't implement a new system, how could the situation improve?

What is your dream admission system?

I hope that only students' GPA and GPAX, and their aptitude tests are used as admission criteria. For the GPA and GPAX, Obec should ensure everyone gets the same grading standard. For the aptitude tests, reliable centres should be established, holding monthly tests. Students could sit the tests as many times as they like, at their convenience. This should reduce stress as aptitude tests are largely about inherent ability.

I plan to propose such test centres be set up for the 2009 academic year. Of course, universities will need to pool money to establish reliable test centres and design standardised tests.

Universities may set up test centres and use their own staff, as there are many competent people in universities.

I plan to propose all universities conduct research to determine what they look for in their students. Each field of study, of course, will have different criteria.

Can the admission system end students' dependence on revision schools?

I have never said it could stop students going to after-school classes, which will continue as long as students want to learn more.

Urisara Kowitdamrong

The Nation