SRA puts kibosh on Kaplan’s aptitude test for admissions
Kaplan Law School’s plan to introduce an admissions test for the LPC has been dashed after the SRA blocked the move.
The law school’s controversial proposal, announced in October 2010, coincided with the Law Society launching an investigation into the viability of an aptitude test to make the application process fairer and reduce numbers of candidates taking the course.
A consultant is due to deliver a report to the Law Society next month on whether the LPC aptitude test should get the go-ahead.
In a statement the SRA said: “The SRA has not validated any LPC proposals which feature aptitude testing as part of the admissions arrangements. The SRA is aware that the Law Society is presently carrying out research into the possible merits of such tests and we await their findings with interest.”
Kaplan’s unilateral admissions test would have required students wishing to study the GDL or LPC to deliver a presentation, take part in a written examination and sit through a 10-minute interview.
Despite the rigorous nature of the assessment it won backing from a cohort of aspiring lawyers, who believe that LPC providers should be more selective
to give students a better chance of achieving training contracts.
College of Law chief executive Nigel Savage said: “It doesn’t surprise me that this has been turned down as it all seemed rather pointless and a bit of a gimmick.”
Kaplan confirmed the SRA decision but declined to comment further.
Readers' comments (7)
Anonymous | 31-Jan-2011 12:01 pm
By "a bit of a gimmick" I assume he really means: "the reduction in numbers due to aptitude testing will be bad for business".
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
IHateBPP | 31-Jan-2011 1:10 pm
Northern Ireland's equivalent of the LPC requires candidates to sit an admissions test. Rather than test any actual ability, it's just a test of who can afford the tutoring required to pass it.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 31-Jan-2011 3:26 pm
1. Please state your bank account balance, without use of the pound symbol.
Scoring guide: Any number beyond [INSERT AMOUNT OF FEES HERE] will pass the Aptitude Test.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 31-Jan-2011 4:16 pm
The SRA spokesperson evidently doesn't know the correct usage of the word "presently". I don't think that he or she would pass the admissions test.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 1-Feb-2011 0:08 am
Mr Savage should realise that the days of "Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all" flocking to law school with their cheque books are over. He should be preparing for the tiny number of candidates who will want to become solicitors in future.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 1-Feb-2011 1:13 pm
Remember the SRA also gets a slice from students so it is in the interests of the SRA to keep student number high.
Hopefully tuition fees at £9,000 per annum will stop this ridiculous behaviour of flocking to the LPC.
Surely students will not self-fund the LPC after incurring this amount of debt!!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anon | 2-Feb-2011 2:38 pm
"Sir Nige may have continued: "To paraphrase Stalin, never mind the quality of our students, numbers have a quality of their own. Our revenues support that view."
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment