We should change the Irish admissions system rather than abandon another generation to the cruelties of the points race

The current admission system to Irish universities has been blamed for having a damaging effect on both the teaching and the learning experience ever since its inception, failing to recognize critical thinking, and ignoring potential. Patrick Geoghegan describes the advantages of a new admissions system to deal with these deficiencies that will be tested in a feasibility study. It will use three scales rather than the current ‘points system’ in order to better evaluate students and provide ways to gauge context and potential.