Aptitude tests used in vocational school admittance processes will no longer exclude would-be students from beginning their studies. However, the tests will still be in use and students who do well in them can gain bonus points that may help them enrol.
The new rule will come into effect this spring during the national joint application drive, wherein thousands of students apply for spots in upper secondary institutions.
Hopefuls may still be at a loss with the differing practices used by different schools; some use the tests in one or more subject areas, while others don't use it at all.
Oulu test aims to avoid mismatches
Vocational schools in the northwest Oulu region use an aptitude test as part of the admissions process for all subjects: social, health care, medical and other fields of study.
"The biggest reason is the student's best interests: we want to avoid accepting people who shouldn't or don't want to be here," says principal Jarmo Paloniemi.
The contents of the aptitude test aim to give the applicant an idea of what the subject area requires of its students. At one point the Oulu Vocational College halted the use of the tests, but Paloniemi says it resulted in several poor matches.
"Some of those who enrolled came in, looked around, and after a few months realised it wasn't what they wanted after all," he says.
Paloniemi says that instead of excluding students from entering school, aptitude tests can actually make sure that certain students get in where they want.
"Youths with excellent know-how but meagre theoretical skills would lose out if it weren't for the aptitude test," the principal says.
Omnia says no to testing
In the Espoo vocational college Omnia, incoming students are not tested for general aptitude at all. Principal Maija Aaltola says the decision also safeguards the students' security.
"We've come to the conclusion that the fairest assessment is to add up the school leaving certificate grades and the points from the application proper," she says.
Points accrue automatically for applicants who apply for a spot straight out of junior high school and have not yet found a place to study.
Omnia's earlier experiences with aptitude tests are not rosy.
"The test isn't very reliable. When it comes to assessing motivation and drive, it's all so subjective," Aaltola says.
Prep training helps those left behind
If a student's choice of degree goes awry, changing one's major is not a problem at Omnia, says Aaltola. And even if an applicant's certificate isn't quite glowing enough, she says that young people should nonetheless always remember to apply and to remain active in the autumn, too.
Another possibility for those who do not get a place to study on their first try is training in preparatory courses, known as VALMA.
"VALMA is a place where students can go to develop their skills and raise their grades. Some students even enrol during the same year," Aaltola says.
Patient safety is guiding star, national test best
Counsellor of Education Juhani Pirttiniemi from the Board of Education says he is not entirely convinced of the credibility of a test that measures young applicants' aptitude, but that he understands why institutes of learning are interested in it.
"The point behind administering aptitude tests for people working in the health sector, for instance, is to vouchsafe patient safety," Pirttiniemi says. "Teachers and trainers are keeping security issues in mind with these tests."
Pirttiniemi says he hopes that uniform testing policies will be placed in the social and health care fields at least. A national test would, he says, be far better than a wide variety of different policies.
"That's the dream, I'd say. It requires great planning but this should be our goal."
