Nearly 80 percent of those who passed this year's Joint College Entrance Examination (JCEE,
Out of the some 126,263 examinees, 97,975 passed the test; of those, 77,561 will be admitted to a university -- an acceptance rate of 79.16 percent.
The record-breaking acceptance rate of this year's examination -- the final year the test was held -- is due to three more universities joining the recruiting system and a slightly smaller pool of test-takers than in the past, said an official of the College Entrance Examination Center.
"This year's college hopefuls will have a tougher decision to make, as they can choose from more than 60 universities and nearly 1,500 departments," said the official.
The final results of this year's exam will be released on Aug. 7.
Starting next year, the 48-year-old JCEE will be replaced by the Diversified College Enrollment Scheme (
Under the scheme, all high school seniors or high school graduates who wish to apply to a college or university will be required to take a competency test in February. If they are unhappy with the results of the test they will be able to retake the exam in April.
The next step will be for students to apply to the universities of their choice, either by submitting a formal application themselves or getting a recommendation from their high school. Recommendations, however, will only be given to each school's best students -- forcing the rest to fill out applications.
Universities will then use each student's test score and written application or recommendation -- to decide who to admit.
Students who are rejected in the first round of admissions will be able to take a "designated course examination (
Some 40 percent of the students are likely to gain admission during the first round of admissions while the rest will have to take the second exam.
Given the complexity of the diversified enrollment scheme, high school teachers have suggested students ensure they fully understand the details of the new plan so they will be able to enter the school and department they desire.
"One of the most crucial elements for students to gain admission to the most ideal departments [under the new scheme] is the gathering of information," said a teacher from Chien Kuo Senior High School.
"Given that there are so many departments available and their requirements may vary tremendously, students have to first have a good grasp of the required criteria of their target schools and departments," the teacher said.
"Besides making an effort to achieve favorable grades, students are encouraged to excel in extra-curricular activities, because abilities such as expression, leadership and artistic talent will be taken into considerable account under the new program."
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