Title: Iran’s University Entrance Exam to Continue as Key Mechanism for High-Demand Fields, Official States
A Necessary Measure for Educational Equity
In a recent statement, Dr. Abolfazl Vahaedi, Deputy Minister of Science for Education, confirmed that Iran’s national university entrance exam, known as the “Konkur,” will not be abolished in the immediate future. This decision, he explained, is rooted in the necessity to ensure fairness and justice in allocating a limited number of highly sought-after university seats.
Addressing the Challenges While Upholding Fairness
Dr. Vahaedi acknowledged the widely recognized challenges associated with the current examination system. He noted that the intense pressure and stress placed on candidates, coupled with the difficulty of a single, short-duration test fully capturing a student’s academic capabilities, are undeniable concerns. The complete removal of the Konkur is, in fact, a resolution passed by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.
However, the official underscored a critical reality facing the nation’s higher education landscape. “We must accept this fact,” Dr. Vahaedi stated, “that we have a number of university seats and fields of study for which there is very high demand. To distribute these seats justly, we are compelled to have a tool for assessment, and currently, we have no alternative but to hold the Konkur.”
A Focused Examination for Selective Programs
Emphasizing the ongoing policy direction, the Deputy Minister clarified that any future alternative to the Konkur must not only resolve the existing challenges but must also robustly guarantee educational justice for all applicants across the country.
Dr. Vahaedi also provided crucial context, revealing that over 85% of all university seats are now filled based on students’ academic records and without any entrance exam. The Konkur, therefore, serves as a selective mechanism for a specific and limited percentage of universities and high-demand academic disciplines. He concluded that the exam will remain in place until a suitable and equitable replacement for assessing candidates for these competitive spots is developed and implemented.