June 19, 2009 - 12:32 AMT
RA President visited students taking entrance exams
Applicants in Yerevan are today taking joint entrance exams in chemistry (1330 people) and Armenian history (3572). President Serzh Sargsyan visited Yerevan State University (YSU) to get familiarized with examination process. As mentioned by Education Minister Armen Ashotyan, the test packages were opened and distributed among applicants in President's presence. Mr. Sargsyan also familiarized himself with Armenian history tests.
"Average scores this year are lower in comparison with last year. It's still early to discuss the general situation as we are still in store of a long process of test reviews etc. Final results will be summed up during the press conference on August 1," Mr. Ashotyan said.
"In our society, parents satisfied with their children's exam scores never have their word of gratitude published in the press. It's mostly dissatisfied parents that voice their complaints in media. That's why society's under the false impression that everybody is dissatisfied with exam results," Mr. Ashotyan said.
According to the Minister, Armenians haven't yet learnt to make up good tests, despite the knowledge acquired over the past 18-19 years.
"Armenians have developed the tradition of preparing for university entrance two years before the exams. When we were preparing for entrance exams, we were studying the subject. What they do now is just learning the answers to test questions," Minister said, commenting upon low exam scores.