Students should no longer be assessed for medical school entry on the basis of Leaving Certificate results alone, a high-level working group set up by the Minister for Education will recommend, writes Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent.
As a result the points requirements for medicine would drop to 450, and students who reach this minimum requirement would sit an aptitude test to determine their suitability to become a doctor.
In the most radical shake-up of medical education ever undertaken, the Committee on the Future of Medical Education will recommend that the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, adopt a two-stage process for entry into medical school.
At a meeting later today the committee, under the chairmanship of Prof Pat Fottrell, of the National University of Ireland Galway, will agree a multi-streamed entry model encompassing both graduate and undergraduate entry to the State's five medical schools.
The Irish Times has learned that as well as accumulating Leaving Certificate points, secondary school students will sit an internationally-recognised aptitude test, after which applicants will be ranked for entry to medicine. Students will be expected to sit the aptitude test in the same year they sit the Leaving Certificate.
Graduate entry will also be decided on the basis of an aptitude test. All graduates of honours Bachelor degree programmes will be eligible to apply for entry to medical education. It will not be necessary to take a science-based degree - honours graduates of any course may apply. It is envisaged that 50 per cent of those entering medicine will eventually graduate.
However, there will be a limit on the number of times Leaving Certificate or graduate students may sit the aptitude test. The tests are likely to be based on models used in Australia and elsewhere and will set out specifically to test the problem-solving abilities of applicants.
A year ago, the Minister for Education announced plans for a graduate-only system of entry to medical education. Mr Dempsey subsequently set up the Committee on the Future of Medical Education, consisting of representatives from medicine, the public interest as well as the Departments of Education, Finance and Health. The group will sign off on its proposals today and a document will then be sent to the Minister for a final decision.
However, it is understood that Government representatives on the committee are satisfied that the proposed system is fair, objective and transparent. It is seen as ensuring equity of access as well as removing the negative impact of the "points race" on second-level students. It is believed a quota of places will be reserved in each medical school for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to 2003 figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO), 16 per cent of leaving certificate students obtain 450 points or more in the examination. The current minimum requirement for entry into medicine is in the region of 570 points. The CAO is expected to be given the role of administering the entry process, including the aptitude tests, independent of the medical schools.
It is believed the committee will recommend the introduction of the revised method of selecting Leaving Certificate students for those beginning the senior cycle of secondary education in 2004. The first selection will then take place as early as 2006.
It is understood the committee will also recommend the revised selection methods be applied to other high points courses such as pharmacy and dentistry.