Oxford University has ended its partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as its admission test provider citing “technical problems”. The University said that it has taken the decision following feedback from candidates, test centres and parents. TCS was responsible for running the online tests for the university at its affiliated test centres, and had entered into this partnership in early 2023.
Last year, TCS had won a contract from Oxford University to manage their admission tests that’s taken by about 11,000 students annually. The value of the Oxford University contract is not known, but reports peg it at around $5 million.
TCS had announced the partnership with Oxford University in April 2023. TCS iON was deployed to design the admission tests for Oxford University which includes CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, AMELAT, and the Philosophy test.
Oxford University published its decision to end ties with TCS on its website under the title ‘Important Notice’. Here’s the notice as it appears on Oxford University website:
Important Notice
Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates undertaking Oxford’s online admissions tests in 2023, as well as their schools, colleges and other test centres, we have undertaken a detailed review of the issues to understand better how and why these occurred and taken on board the expert and valuable feedback shared. Our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Martin Williams has recently written to all test centres to communicate our decision to end our relationship with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
We are now working on alternative options for 2024 and beyond and will communicate the new arrangements as soon as possible and no later than the start of the new admissions cycle in early Spring.
In the meantime, potential applicants are welcome to explore the past papers and resources still available on the individual test web pages which may be helpful preparation.
Last year, TCS had won a contract from Oxford University to manage their admission tests that’s taken by about 11,000 students annually. The value of the Oxford University contract is not known, but reports peg it at around $5 million.
TCS had announced the partnership with Oxford University in April 2023. TCS iON was deployed to design the admission tests for Oxford University which includes CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, AMELAT, and the Philosophy test.
Oxford University published its decision to end ties with TCS on its website under the title ‘Important Notice’. Here’s the notice as it appears on Oxford University website:
Important Notice
Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates undertaking Oxford’s online admissions tests in 2023, as well as their schools, colleges and other test centres, we have undertaken a detailed review of the issues to understand better how and why these occurred and taken on board the expert and valuable feedback shared. Our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Martin Williams has recently written to all test centres to communicate our decision to end our relationship with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
We are now working on alternative options for 2024 and beyond and will communicate the new arrangements as soon as possible and no later than the start of the new admissions cycle in early Spring.
In the meantime, potential applicants are welcome to explore the past papers and resources still available on the individual test web pages which may be helpful preparation.