A quarter more students registered for the first session of calibration tests at universities thanks to an extra field of study with a compulsory start test | Education

On Monday 3 July, students from the last year of secondary education can participate in a calibration test at a Flemish university, as is the annual custom. Participation in a calibration test is mandatory for registration for some Bachelor’s programmes. These are the so-called start keys. Flemish universities in particular note a strong increase for the Biomedical Sciences test, which is compulsory from this year.

Of the nearly 5,500 registered students, 4,643 people have registered for the compulsory initial tests and 850 for calibration tests. The enrollment figures of recent years show steady growth.

The calibration tests assess the skills and knowledge based on the expected starting competences of the Bachelor’s program of their choice. The participants receive feedback on the result. According to VLIR, final-year students take conscious steps in the study choice process through participation in a calibration test and they become acquainted with the study program and the university campus. A good result can confirm the choice, a lesser result can lead to reflection and a different study choice.

As of this year, students who have not passed an initial test must take remedial courses. You may also be asked to take part in compulsory remediation if you participate in a test that does not correspond to the content of the Bachelor’s program of your choice. Universities want to enable students to start higher education in optimal conditions. They therefore advise students to participate in the remediation offer before the start of the academic year.

Anyone interested in an academic Bachelor’s program in the STEM domain can register until August 15 for a calibration test on August 26.