A good result on the Swedish Higher Education Entrance Exam (HP) increases your chances of getting into a popular programme. The approximately 100,000 people who take the day off to sit it know this.
The test, however, does not measure the knowledge required to pass a demanding engineering programme. The mathematics tested is too basic, according to the Swedish Association of Engineers.
Underperforming
In a new report, the union points out that the HP seems to function as a selection for the three-year engineering programmes. However, in the five-year civil engineering programmes it is noticeable that students admitted on the basis of their HP results perform worse than those admitted on the basis of their grades.
We would have better throughput if we admitted more people based on grades and, preferably, also via an adapted exam, says Johan Kreicbergs, head of social policy at the Swedish Association of Engineers.
Today, only about half of all engineering students graduate.
"We shouldn't turn a blind eye to the fact that some people get their dream job when they have a few semesters left. But we also know that a large proportion of them drop out in the first year. Often it's the math that's too tough," says Johan Kreicbergs.
The Swedish Association of Engineers is calling on the government to relax the rules that state that one-third of study places must be filled on the basis of HP results.
Hard work and diligence
Chalmers University of Technology has already reduced its HP intake, precisely to admit those with the best prospects. As a foundation-run university, Chalmers has more freedom than state universities to make such adjustments.
"The differences in performance were so significant that we felt we needed to act," says Mattias Bingerud, adviser to Chalmers' vice-chancellor.
He points out that high grades also indicate perseverance.
"To succeed in a very demanding higher education, you must be able to work diligently - to spend time working your way through things."
The objections of the Swedish Association of Engineers and Chalmers to the university entrance exam are supported by the Swedish National Audit Office, which has pointed out in a review that more students would likely complete their education as civil engineers, lawyers or doctors if a smaller proportion were admitted via the HP selection.
However, there have been no calls to completely abolish the university entrance exam as a selection method for particularly demanding programmes - the possibility of a second chance appears to have broad support.
Facts: Eligibility and selection
For all university studies, eligibility in the form of a high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Many programmes can accept all eligible applicants, but when there is competition, a selection is made.
According to the Higher Education Ordinance,
at least one-third of places go to those with the best grades,
at least one-third of places go to those with the best results on the university entrance exam, and
a maximum of one-third of places are allocated by alternative selection.
Alternative selection may include interviews, the university's own selection tests or relevant work experience.
A separate exam cannot replace the university entrance exam.
