Liberia: Only 34% Passed UL’s Entrance Exams

The University of Liberia (UL) has released the results of its 2023 First Entrance Examinations, which show another round of mass failure, but the results also show notable achievements and a shift towards gender balance.

The results, published on the university’s official website and social media platforms, covered digital Aptitude Tests for the Graduate and Professional Schools, as well as the undergraduate digital and paper-based Entrance and Placement Examinations conducted from June 8 to July 8, 2023.

The statistics provided by the Center for Testing and Evaluation (CTE), shed light on the performance of the candidates. Out of the 12,913 individuals registered for the Undergraduate exam, an impressive 97.4 percent, or 12,578 candidates, participated, with only 335 candidates (2.6 percent) being absent.

Of those who took the exam, 4,267 candidates excelled, accounting for 33.92 percent of the participants. Unfortunately, 7,718 candidates, constituting 61.36 percent, were unsuccessful, while 594 candidates (4.72 percent) erroneously shaded their exam numbers, rendering their attempts unsuccessful.

One notable achievement in the results is the narrowing gap in performance between male and female candidates. The 2022 results showed 40 percent of females and 59.76 percent of males passing, while this year’s results indicate an improvement, suggesting a more equitable distribution of success.

For the Graduate and Professional Schools, including the Medical School and the School of Pharmacy, 860 candidates registered for the Aptitude Tests. Results for these schools demonstrate the achievements and aspirations of the candidates, with 246 passing for the Graduate School, 26 for the Medical School, and 15 for the School of Pharmacy.

More than half of the successful candidates, over 2,000 in total, including a significant number of females, will be admitted to the sciences, indicating a strong interest in the field.

High school graduates dominated the list of successful candidates, with 3,157 passing, followed by current twelfth graders at 1,090. Additionally, 20 candidates from other universities showcased their abilities.

Private schools were prominently represented among the successful candidates, comprising 54.49 percent of the total. Notably, results for the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law will be released at a later date.

Looking ahead, the Center for Testing and Evaluation has disclosed the schedule for the 2023 Second Entrance. Registration is set to commence on Monday, October 23, 2023, and will conclude on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The upcoming examinations will span from November 27 to December 9, 2023, covering various academic disciplines.

For access to the results, the CTE Portal and the UL website provide convenient options, making it easy for candidates and the public to explore the outcomes of the 2023 First Entrance Exams.

The UL promises more details on the registration process for the 2023 Second Entrance, set to be released on October 23, 2023.