The start of Orientation Week saw anxious and excited first year students take to the campus. Some of the jitters were brought on by the fact that they would have to write a test on the first weekend of their university career.
National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) were developed by Higher Education South Africa in 2009 to provide information about students entering university.
The start of Orientation Week saw anxious and excited first year students take to the campus. Some of the jitters were brought on by the fact that they would have to write a test on the first weekend of their university career.
National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) were developed by Higher Education South Africa in 2009 to provide information about students entering university.
The tests, conducted with just over 11500 first year students at seven South African Universities last year, proved that many students required academic support if they were to successfully complete their studies.
Although not compulsory for admission to Rhodes University, the tests were held over registration weekend. Applicants who did not meet the entry requirement of forty points were advised by the Dean of the Faculty to write the relevant NBTs.
“I just arrived at Rhodes University and am stressed beyond belief – what if I fail the test? This is all new to
me,” said one first year student.
The tests looked at three areas – general academic literacy, quantitative literacy, and straightforward mathematics.
Students were marked as proficient (meaning they should succeed in higher education), intermediate
(academic support would be needed), and basic (students have serious learning challenges, and bridging programmes would be essential).
“I think it’s a wonderful idea – it puts our children into the mindset that they need to work hard if they want to do well in their studies and that that is why they have come to university,” said one first year student’s mother.
