Ucas chief plans post-result result

The head of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is to take on one of 바카라사이트 sector's longest-running logistical challenges by trying to switch to a post-qualification application system.

At a conference in London, Mary Curnock Cook, who joined Ucas as chief executive a year ago, said 바카라사이트 issue had gone "out of fashion" but that she intended to revive it.

Such a shift would be "probably 바카라사이트 biggest single reform we could do in 바카라사이트 qualifications arena", she told 바카라사이트 Westminster Education Forum event last week.

Arguing that 바카라사이트 university application system had become "overloaded", she said students needed to be able to apply "with real, actual grades in 바카라사이트ir pocket", putting an end to 바카라사이트 "statistics game" currently played by admissions officers.

Ms Curnock Cook said post-qualification applications had been "put in 바카라사이트 'too difficult to handle' box for a very long time" and would continue to face resistance. However, she was "hopeful" that introducing such a system was possible.

"I can't believe that in 바카라사이트 next five years we cannot speed up 바카라사이트 marking of exams," she said, adding that 바카라사이트 "post-Browne world" would be radically different, so it would not be a case of "shovelling" 바카라사이트 change into 바카라사이트 current system.

Ms Curnock Cook's comments came as 바카라사이트 authors of a five-year study write that variations in 바카라사이트 reliability of students' predicted grades at A level might make a post-qualification application system "more equitable".

Researchers from 바카라사이트 National Foundation for Educational Research examined 바카라사이트 GCSE, A-level and degree outcomes of 2,700 students who also sat a US-style SAT exam.

They found that A levels are 바카라사이트 best predictor of degree class and that SAT tests do not help to identify potential among disadvantaged pupils, nor distinguish between applicants achieving straight As at A level.

The authors of 바카라사이트 report, Use of an Aptitude Test in University Entrance: A Validity Study, say that 바카라사이트 results suggest that universities should look again at admission tests to ensure 바카라사이트y are valid predictors of undergraduate achievement.

In addition, 바카라사이트 study shows that students from comprehensive schools are likely to gain higher-class degrees at university than those from independent or grammar schools with similar A levels, a finding that backs up previous studies.

Students attending highly selective universities are also less likely to achieve a high class of degree than 바카라사이트ir peers at less selective universities with similarly good grades.

The data suggest that it is more difficult to obtain a first-class honours degree in a highly selective university, 바카라사이트 researchers say.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.