Critical thinking: a future skill—or old wine in new bottles?
In the August issue of HE Admissions Insights, our international survey on key competencies for academic success ranked critical thinking as the #1 competency across disciplines. Critical thinking has been mentioned frequently in recent years—by universities, employers, and policymakers. It is also included in lists of “future skills”. That raises practical follow-up questions for admissions […]
Planning and organizing capabilities in study aptitude tests
I’d like to introduce a unique subtest we use in study aptitude assessments to measure planning and organizing capabilities—something our competitors don’t offer. This module is part of the GTEBS exam, where it has shown high predictive power for final grades. It is also used in the admission test of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation […]
Why should students pay the bill? Reducing test taker fees and improving fairness!
University admission tests should not discriminate against low-SES applicants. However, high test-taker fees could lead to inequality of opportunity. Therefore, in Germany, there is an upper limit of 100 Euro gross. Why do some admission tests exceed this limit by factor 2 or even 3? The reasons are obvious: Good tests need financial resources for […]
Enhancing Academic Success for International Students
Why international student success matters Countries renowned for their high educational standards continue to attract students from around the world. Among the most popular destinations are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Canada. However, the academic journey for international students is not without its challenges. Dropout rates among international students often exceed […]
Brainteasers in Selection Processes – Smart Use for Real Insights
Some of my collegaues tend to be a bit sceptical about brainteasers in admissions assessments. When used without clear evaluation criteria or structured integration, they can seem arbitrary and unfair. However when properly designed, brainteasers can be a powerful addition to structured interviews, offering valuable insights into cognitive competencies. Why (and when) do brainteasers make […]
How to Recognize a Good Study Aptitude Test: A 5-Point Checklist
How can you tell whether a study aptitude test is good? Psychologists have detailed checklists with hundreds of questions—but here’s a much shorter version with 5 key questions every admissions professional should ask. The wrong question to start with: “Who else is already using this test?”It’s tempting to assume that if other institutions use a […]
What Influences Our Study and Career Choices?
The process of choosing a field of study or a career is rarely linear or simple. Why? Because it’s shaped by a complex web of influences—both internal and external. 1. Endogenous (internal) factors like age, gender, intelligence, and aptitude play a crucial role. 2. At the same time, exogenous (external) factors—those outside our immediate control—add […]
Rethinking Admissions: The Power of Multiple Mini-Interviews
What are Multiple Mini-Interviews (MIs)? MMIs consist of several short, focused interviews (typically 10–20 minutes each), with different interviewers assessing candidates on specific competencies. Each interview measures a maximum of two competencies through structured questions and one through observed behavior. This ensures a diverse, well-rounded evaluation, reducing bias by involving multiple assessors. Efficiency meets fairness: […]
How to Compare GPAs from Different Countries? The Bavarian Formula Explained
When selecting students from a global pool of applicants, comparing high school GPAs (HSGPA) across different grading systems can be a challenge. To ensure objective comparisons, the use of one or several standardized admission tests like SAT, ACT, ITB-Business (undergraduate studies) and GMAT, GRE, GTEBS (graduate studies) is recommended. However, if you still need to […]
European Data Protection and Study Aptitude Tests
We have to admit—Sometimes data protection feels like a never-ending bureaucracy. More forms to fill out, another penetration test, another lengthy contract to draft. At ITB we take care of ensuring that we meet all the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Why do we go through all this for study aptitude […]