Bangkok – The National Institute of the Education Testing Service (Public Organization) or NIETS has reschedule this year’s university entrance exams to February 23- 26.
The move follows a meeting between the Ministry of Education, the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) and the NIETS regarding the schedule for the 2019 General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Professional and Academic Aptitude Test (PAT).
The GAT/PAT exams were previously moved forward to February 16-19, in order to allow voting age students to take exams as well as cast their ballots in the general election. However, following the Election Commission’s decision to set the election date in March, education-related bodies saw fit to return to the original schedule, allowing instructors enough time to teach the full coursework and avoid having to organize weekend or after-school classes.
The move was also seen as a measure enhancing student well-being, allowing them to spend more time with their families and to pursue personal interests, while reducing the risk of excessive academic stress.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha posted a message to Facebook announcing the schedule revision and offering moral support to students in their academic pursuits.
