Comments for Testing, testing 123 at http://adamsmith.org , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://adamsmith.org Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:44:35 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://adamsmith.org/blog/education/testing,-testing-123-200806091511/#comment-400 I had to sit two extra exams to get onto my university course - most Cambridge colleges use STEP papers for maths entrants (plus rigorous interviews). The advantages are twofold - firstly they serve as a discriminator above 'A'-levels. Secondly the college can get the script and look at it, adding an insight into whether the candidate thinks in the right way for maths. Thus, even if they don't get the asked grades, in some cases they may still be offered a place based upon the thinking shown in their scripts - something which for people who suffer the state system can be a very good thing (considering most state schools appear to try and put people off applying for Oxbridge). Warwick has also taken to doing that for their Maths course and other courses may well do so. - Tristan Mills Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:45:00 +0100