[OPINION] The College Entrance Tests: Back Too Soon?

By: Tatiana Andres

The College Entrance Tests are back and once more a part of the college admissions process. More commonly known as the CETs, these tests are integral and are often the determining factor of students’ admission  into universities. 

The general college application process consists of submitting one’s high school grades, sending letters of recommendation, writing an essay (for some universities), and finally, preparing for universities’ college entrance tests. 

The Pandemic Factor

The admissions process was heavily affected by the pandemic, especially when it came to college entrance tests. Given the nature of the pandemic, there was no way for universities to administer their entrance tests, drastically changing the admissions process. Without test scores to put into consideration, universities turned to students’ high school grades as the main determinant of their admittance into the university. 

Bringing Back the Tests

This reworked version of the college application and admission processes has been in play up until this year. Now that the pandemic is less of a threat and restrictions are easing up, many universities and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have decided to revert to their pre-pandemic college admissions process by bringing back their college entrance tests. Out of the “Big 4” universities, the Philippines’ top and most popular universities, only the University of the Philippines opted to once more suspend their college entrance test, the UPCAT. 

The CETs, however, are going to be a difficult adjustment for graduating students and undergraduate applicants to universities. For most of our high school lives, current high school seniors have been learning online. Despite schools’ best efforts, online learning has its limitations and there is only so much a student can effectively learn from behind a computer screen. 

Pros and Cons

Continuing to suspend the CETs might be better for students who don’t perform too well on tests despite their proficient knowledge of different topics. It would also be good for students who feel confident in their high school grades, knowing that without CETs, it would be the determining factor of their admissions. 

“CETs are kind of inconvenient for some students since it’s an overwhelming step. Although we’re in the stage of recovering from the pandemic, universities should also think about the students who are experiencing health problems and education adjustments,” shared AC Rebosura, a Grade 12 student. 

On the other hand, this transition back to the pre-pandemic college admissions process may be better for many other students. The CETs are a great way to increase a student’s  chances of getting into his or her  desired university. The CETs may be helpful for students who might not feel confident with their high school grades. Students who also thrive and perform well when taking tests also benefit from this. 

“I’m in favor for CETs coming back because I feel like it ‘levels the playing field’ for students. Some schools have different grading systems, so it might be more difficult to get higher grades in some schools whereas in others it’ll be easier to get higher grades,” explained Ameera Vergara, another Grade 12 student.

Preparing for the Tests 

The Big 4 universities that are bringing back their college entrance tests include Ateneo de Manila University with their ACET, De La Salle University with their DCAT, and the University of Santo Tomas with their USTET, all the universities announcing the news only a few months ago. 

Studying for the CETs is another thing students will have to worry about aside from schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities outside of school. An aspect of the CETs that makes it tedious is the fact that students have to take a test for nearly every university that they apply to. Having multiple tests to prepare and review for is inconvenient since each university’s test is distinct and may differ in certain topics. Students will also have to travel to each university or testing center during the administration of the test. 

Past College Entrance Exams

Taking a test for each college, however, wasn’t always the case, as the Philippines used to conduct national standardized tests. The government once mandated tests such as the College Entrance Test (CET), the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), and the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT). These tests differed from each other, but overall assessed students’ reasoning skills, as well as what they had learned in subjects such as English, Filipino, Science, Math, and Araling Panlipunan (Social Science). Universities only began shifting to and developing their own tests as they wanted to admit more students based on their institution’s mission and vision. Developing and conducting their own tests allowed them to further see how applicants might fit into their learning community. Rising consciousness in their standings and their need to improve on international rankings also pushed universities to make their tests. 

As little as some students might enjoy them, the CETs may be beneficial for all students as well as universities’ admissions officers. Students may use the tests as a way to increase their chances of admission into universities. Admissions officers may use them to see if a student is ready to undertake the academic workload to come when in college. 

What is impractical  is the sheer number of CETs students have to take, one for almost every university they apply to. The fact that students’ test scores are the main determining factor of their admissions may also be unfair to many good students who don’t necessarily thrive on tests. Universities having their own tests to admit students guided by their mission and vision is contrary to the fact that their tests are merely academic and only consist of subjects in Science, Math, and English. Students who might be taking multiple tests would also have to travel to multiple universities or testing centers.   

The pandemic offered universities the chance to reexamine and revitalize their college admissions process and the role of their college entrance tests in it. Universities must be more accommodating to different kinds of students and aim for a more holistic college admissions process without letting one factor be the “end-all, be-all” of a student’s chances. This way, they will have the ability to truly be guided by their institution’s values when admitting students, as well as allow students to feel more empowered during a highly significant time in their education