Page 6 - Newsletter1_2016

EPTSCURRENT
EPTS UPDATES

EVOLVING UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

The EPTS CRITERIA

Bookworms

club

The EPTS Bookworms
club is ready to kick off its second
year, and we hope to build on
the success of last year! During The summary of EVOLVING UNIVERSITY ADMISSION CRITERIA - Ajarn Wipada Sutthiroj
our inaugural year, students and Increased Competition and which the applicant must submit essay section, students analyze a
teachers gave book talks, designed Choices English proficiency test scores from provided passage to determine
games and created posters to Our graduating Mattayom either CU-TEP, IELTS, TOEFL, or how the author builds an
promote the club. The atmosphere 6 seniors face increasingly the SAT (see the diagram: “Step argument to persuade the reader
was casual and we enjoyed stringent university admissions 1”). This first step for Chula EBA using evidence, reasoning, and
listening to each other talk about criteria. Acceptance into popular also includes submission of math persuasive devices. The students
our favorite books. A few people International Programs, such scores and overall grade point write an analysis supported by their
even swapped books with each as the Bachelor’s in Business average. For students who only own critical reasoning, based on
other! Everyone seemed to enjoy Administration (BBA) at Chulalakorn meet standards for 2 out of 3 of evidence from the passage.
themselves and the free pizza also University, also includes more these requirements, they must then
proved a hit! complexity in the choices students achieve a minimum score in the With a similar shift in focus, the
must make regarding which test third criteria (see “Step 2” on the new reading section of the SAT
This year, we hope to increase scores to submit. diagram). assesses students’ understanding of
student involvement in the club Which English Proficiency test is the information and ideas in a text, and
and to make it more student-led. One important distinction includes easiest? This is a matter of much their ability to analyze the author’s
The goal is to get more students “general aptitude” tests versus current debate. Ask one student use of persuasive language and
involved in the planning and “English proficiency” tests – both and you will get one answer; ask argument. Students are first asked
running of the meetings. Their of which are typically required for another student and you will general questions about central
creative and organizational input competitive programs. Aptitude receive a different answer! ideas, themes, and overall text
are important for the long-term tests measure general intelligence The “New SAT” structure, followed by more specific
questions asking for the meaning
success of the club. over a variety of subjects, while
English proficiency tests focus Certain university programs also of a particular word or phrase, or
Throughout this 2016-17 academic specifically on English skills. include the choice for students to to find specific evidence supporting
a claim.
take specific sections of the
year, we will be planning a American SAT (standard aptitude
variety of different activities and The major International English test) to meet criteria for English Solutions?
promotions to try and encourage proficiency tests include IELTS proficiency. Now add to this the With this complexity of options,
more students to love reading and TOEFL. Certain universities recent and significant changes to along with increased competition,
also provide an option to take the
for pleasure. If your children are the SAT (as of March 2016). students and parents should begin
bookworms or are just curious specific school’s English proficiency early in identifying programs of
test. For example, Chula University
about what the Bookworms club is has its own CU-TEP (test of English The revised SAT focuses on what interest, and researching the
all about, please encourage them proficiency). The bottom line? is being called “Evidence-Based” necessary steps for successful
to join one of our meetings or to Universities are placing a heavier reading and writing skills. For admission. Our EPTS staff, teachers,
come and speak with one of the emphasis on English skills for example, the writing portion and classroom advisors are always
English teachers. I hope to see admissions acceptance. now strongly emphasizes source available to help sort through the
your children there! analysis and evidence, including intricacies of individual program
Example: CHULA’S Bachelor of Arts questions asking students to requirements and assist in any
- A. Robert Brunch (A.Brad) in Economics develop, support, and refine claims manner.
EPTS Head of Foreign Languages and ideas in multi-paragraph
Chula’s EBA Program first requires
stringent “Proof of Excellence,” in passages. For example, in the - A.Gordon Mc Evoy
6