Identifying the Best Strategies for Assessing and Admitting Students in the Iranian Higher Education System

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Higher Education Economics and Management, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 M Ph.D. student of Curriculum Planning, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Due to the dissatisfaction of experts and parents in the past years, the issue of removing or modifying the entrance exam has always been a fundamental issue that has not been implemented until now. The researchers believe that the lack of realization of such an issue is the lack of favorable strategies, and the existence of some issues and problems that can affect the quality and performance of the student evaluation and admission system in the country. In this regard, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying and quantifying the existing problems and damages in the field of student assessment and admission in the country. The approach of the current research is qualitative, which was done by analyzing previous researches and data from expert centers and semi-structured interviews. The statistical population of the research was the scientific-technical resources related to the subject and the scientific-executive experts in the area of student assessment and admission, which was done using convenience sampling method (library study) and targeted sampling as well as snowball technique. The obtained data and information have been analyzed using the method of content analysis and thematic analysis technique. By analyzing the findings of the research, 73 sub-categories (indicators) and 18 categories (components) were counted, which were confirmed by colleagues using the triangulation method and review technique. Based on the results of the current research, the low quality of the student evaluation and admission system and its poor performance in the country are due to the existence of some structural-functional and content limitations in the nature of this exam, issues as well as problems in the management structure of related executive bodies, the functional weakness of relevant and beneficiary institutions in the country's policy-making and decision-making authorities, and the environmental conditions as well as the cultural-social atmosphere that governs the society. Therefore, it is necessary for policy makers and planners to take the necessary measures to solve the problems and optimize the process of evaluating and accepting students according to the cultural and social context of the country.

Keywords


Abedi Jafari, H., Taslimi, M.S., Faqihi, A., & Sheikhzadeh, M. (2011). Theme Analysis and Theme Network: a Simple and Efficient Way to Explain Patterns in Qualitative Data. Strategic Management Thought, 5(10), 151- 198. [In Persian]
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77- 101.
Fathabadi, J., Shalani, B., & Sadeghi, S. (2017). Investigating the Impact of the University National Exam on Iranian Students and Families. Cultural Psychology, 1(2), 49- 71. [In Persian]
Fathi, J. (2019). Policy Analysis of the Student Assessment and Admission System in Iran's Higher Education Centers. Studies in Psychology and Educational Sciences, 5(1), 152- 164. [In Persian]
Fathtabar Firouzjaei, K., Shojaati A., Shahram I., Khademi F. (2021). Pathology of the Current Situation of the Student Assessment and Admission System in the Country with A Focus on the Entrance Examination and Providing A Solution to Improve the Student Assessment and Admission Model (A Comparative Study). Journal of Educational Research, 8(42), 49- 77. [In Persian]
Geramipour, M., Falsafinejad, M.R., Delavar, A., & Farrokhi, N.A. (2012). Comparison of Confirmatory Factor Analysis Methods to Track the Differential Action of Critical Test Questions. Journal of Educational Measurement, 9(3), 105- 122. [In Persian]
Gholipour, R., & Vosoghi Naeri, A. (2013). Research Policy Analysis of Student Assessment and Admission Law in Universities and Higher Education Centers of the Country. Scientific-Promotional Quarterly of Human Resources Studies, 3(11), 128- 130. [In Persian]
Gisemba, J. (2010). Many Districts Left Behind: An Individual Change Analysis of Inequity in the Kenyan Primary Educational Opportunities (2001– 2007). International Journal of Educational Development, 30, 586– 591.
Hosseini Largani, S.M., & Mohammadi, R. (2017). Explaining the Factors Affecting the Students' Visit to Open Entrance Exam Schools. Educational Studies and Measurement and Evaluation Quarterly, 7(18), 53 – 89. [In Persian]
Jalali, M.R. (2007) Analysis of the Relationship between Class Inequalities and Educational Inequalities with Emphasis on the Role of Mediating Variables. Education Quarterly, 23(3). [In Persian]
Karimi Behroozian, A., Ofoghi, N., &  Ebadollahi Chenzaneq, H. (2018). Social Class and Entrance Exam Eank: a Critical Study at Boali Sinai University in Hamadan. Iranian Journal of Sociology, 19(1), 27 – 67. [In Persian]
Khalaghi, A.A., Hajforoush, A. (2012). Examining the Impact of Entrance Exams on Educational Goals in the Transition from Secondary Education to Higher Education. Quarterly Journal of Education, 112, 67- 98. [In Persian]
Kiyani, Gh. (2015). Educational Records and Universal Tests Instead of Entrance Exam System: Why, What and How to Change. Language and Translation Studies,48(4), 1- 26. [In Persian]
Mardiha, M. (2004). Pathology of University Entrance Exam. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 10(1), 130- 91. [In Persian]
Omidian, M., Rahmati, A., & Farhadirad, H. (2017). The Lived Experience of Participating in the Entrance Examination with Emphasis on its Stressful Consequences. Iranian Higher Education Quarterly, 10(2), 1- 19. [In Persian]
Sajjadi, R., Karamdoust, N.A., Durrani, K., Salehi, K., & Moghadamzadeh, A. (2017). Analyzing the Success Factors of Top People in the National Exam. Bi- quarterly Journal of Higher Education Curriculum Studies, 8(16), 163- 190. [In Persian]
Salimi, J., & Pasalari, H. (2017). The Role of Social and Academic Characteristics of High School Graduates in Hormozgan Province in Their Success in University Entrance Exams. Educational Measurement and Evaluation Studies, 7(18), 91- 125. [In Persian]
Sazegar, Z., & Motallebzadeh, K. (2017). Iranian National University Entrance Examination (Konkoor) of B.A.:An Analysis of its Reliability and Validity. Modern Journal of Language Teaching Methods, 7(3), 358- 365.
Sobhani, A.R., & Shahidi, M. (2007). Pathology of Entrance Examination and the Possibility of Removing it in the Student Admission System. Research in Curriculum Planning, 4(13), 161- 182. [In Persian]
Yadegarzadeh, Gh., Parand, K., & Kanani, E. (2012). Investigating the Opinions of Pre-university School Counselors Regarding the Needs and Problems of Candidates in the Selection Process of the National Entrance exam. Iranian Higher Education Quarterly, 4(4), 57- 78. [In Persian]
Zarei, R., & Orangi, A.M. (2012). Examining the Appropriate Criteria for Selecting Students in Iranian Universities from the Experts' Point of View. New Approaches in Educational Administration, 3(12), 207- 221. [In Persian]