K & P

Policy shift: UoP excludes NTS from admission criteria

Decision draws mixed reaction from students

Asad Zia August 06, 2016

UoP Public Relation Officer Akhtar Amin confirmed the decision to remove the test from its admission criteria this year. PHOTO: FACEBOOK

PESHAWAR: University of Peshawar (UoP) has decided to exclude the National Testing Services test from its admission criteria for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science and Arts programmes.

Insiders privy to the development told The Express Tribune the varsity has announced admission for a four-year BS programme on August 1. However, this time, the university has excluded the NTS test which was previously a mandatory condition to obtain admission at the university.

The testing service was made a mandatory requirement of the admission process for UoP in 2012. However, the administration has now decided to grant admissions to students on the basis of their previous degrees or exam results.

Mixed feelings

The move has triggered a mixed reaction from students at the varsity.

Muhammad Bilal, who is keen to apply for the business administration programme at UoP said NTS exam was a suitable means of examining intelligence for higher education.

“The test guaranteed that the admission process was based on merit,” he added.

“Students of private schools and college scored high marks through illegal means in the board examinations and are unable to pass tests for further admission.”

He said the test was the only effective mechanism to gauge the abilities of student. On the other hand, Qasim Ali, another student, hailed the decision to do away with the test.

According to Ali, many students could not afford to pay the exorbitant fee to take the NTS exam. He added the decision to remove the test from the admission requirement will streamline affairs and make it easier for students to gain admission.

New policy

UoP Public Relation Officer Akhtar Amin confirmed the decision to remove the test from its admission criteria this year. “This year, the administration has decided to give admission to students on the basis of their previous records,” he said. “Those students who scored high marks – which are above 45% - can get admission.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (1)

Raghu | 8 years ago | Reply Did i read “Those students who scored high marks – which are above 45% – can get admission.” This is the shameful standard. 45% is considered as high marks??? NTS should be brought in back and if the student can afford the University fees then surely he can afford a few thousand more.

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