TEXT 2: Entrance tests forced on top universities

Leading universities are being forced to set their own entrance tests following a rise in the number of students applying with straight As.

More than one in 10 A-level students was awarded top grades in every subject yesterday as results hit a record high.

Those at fee-paying schools were about three times more likely to gain straight A-s, with 31 percent achieving a clean sweep. Many have already been forced to sit university entrance tests – on top of A-levels – because of a steep rise in candidates gaining top marks.

One in seven institutions - including Oxford and Cambridge - requires applicants to take extra tests in some courses.

Imperial College London said earlier this year that it was preparing to introduce entrance for all candidates amid fears that year-on-year grade inflation had “destroyed” its ability to pick out the brightest applicants.

It is believed that more straight-A students will be rejected by Oxford and Cambridge this year. Oxford is likely to turn away 5,000, while Cambridge will reject 7,000.

Geof Parks, the director of admissions at Cambridge, said the rise in top grades gave the university less flexibility to consider students who fell just short of gaining three As.

“It will give us no room for manoeuvre for people who have missed their results because of illness or family issues,” he said. “We could be up for record numbers of students who get three As who are turned down. It is tougher on the students.”

Diana Warwick, the chief executive of Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said institutions no longer relied on A-levels alone.

“Universities are currently involved in a whole raft of changes to A-levels, and other qualifications, to ensure the best fit between the student, the institution and the course,” she said.

Independent and grammar school pupils are expected to dominate the top grade. In the past six years, they have experienced a rise of up to nine percentage points in the number of A grades, compared with just four points at comprehensives.

However, some universities have admitted that they may shun the A* to ensure campuses are not filled with private school pupils, which could damage their social mix. 

 

1. While listening, find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and expressions.

· “Круглые” пятерки/ высокие баллы (оценки)

· Получать (высокие оценки) (2 variants)

· Определять вступительные испытания

· С учетом

· Наряду с…

· Несмотря на (опасения)

· Подняться до рекордно высокой отметки

· Платные школы / частные школы / школы для одаренных детей/ общеобразовательные школы

· Сдавать вступительные экзамены (2 variants)

· Резкий подъем

· Из года в год

· Отказать (в приеме) (2 variants)

· Председатель приемной комиссии / ректор / руководитель

· Найти вариант, который бы максимально устроил студента, институт и учебный процесс

· Не набрать высоких баллов

· По болезни или по семейным обстоятельствам

· Ряд изменений

· Не учитывать, не брать в расчет

· Абитуриенты (2 variants)

 

2. Translate the following sentences into Russian

a) We had oil hitting a nine-month high earlier today.

b) In terms of business, however, the town has been growing steadily over the last five years, with city hall's budget increasing year on year since 2006 and the average wage having risen accordingly. c) Sales for the first half of the year fell short of the target. d) He has a whole raft of camera equipment. e) There’s little room for innovation. f) Children need to have room to develop their natural creativity. g) The strict export regulations left us no room for manoeuvre. h) A steep increase in the number of car thefts in this area. i) Thousands of refugees left the country following the outbreak of civil war. j) Victims of the disease found themselves shunned by the society.