The committee asked to improve the much-criticised new university admission system, known as the Thai university Central Admission System (TCAS), has resolved to stick to the status quo for next year's admission.
Chusak Limsakul, former president of Prince of Songkla University (PSU), in his capacity as chairman of the TCAS development committee, revealed the decision after a meeting of the committee held recently.
The system will, however, undergo some fine-tuning after discussions about the main problems experienced during this year's admission, which have sparked an outcry among many parents and students, he said.
Clearer details about what changes the TCAS will adopt before its use again next year are expected at the next meeting of the committee on Thursday, he said.
In its second year, the TCAS will meet on Feb 1 and comprise the same five rounds of student admission as in the past admission this year, he said.
The first round operates on a quota basis whereby students' records, or "portfolios", are considered by universities as the main criteria for admittance, with no written exam.
The second round also uses a quota system for gifted students, where the universities also have written tests in their selection process.
The third is called the "joint direct admission" system in which students have to sit central exams organised by the National Institute of Educational Testing Service. Candidates are allowed to choose up to four departments.
The fourth is a "general admission" system. The tests are similar to the previous admission system where students are again allowed up to four department choices.
The last round is called "independent direct admission" and it allows universities to use their own criteria to admit students. All the five rounds of admission will be done in four months, he said.
