**Over 3,000 Students Sit Mandatory STEM Aptitude Tests at Flemish Universities**
More than 3,000 prospective students took compulsory standardised aptitude tests for STEM courses on Saturday at university campuses across Flanders.
A total of 3,408—mostly young people—signed up for the second round of tests this year. This figure is nearly on par with last year’s numbers (3,481) but significantly lower than the attendance for the first round earlier this summer on 1 July, which saw more than double the participants.
The lower turnout is due to these being the mandatory aptitude tests, often referred to as “start tests.” While there are standardised tests available for 23 STEM programmes in total, they are only compulsory for ten fields of study, including bioscience engineering, biomedical sciences, and engineering.
These tests play a crucial role in helping students transition to higher education. Through multiple-choice questions, participants gain insight into their mathematical and scientific knowledge and skills relative to the expected starting level for their chosen bachelor’s course.
For other fields, such as biology and business engineering, the tests are not mandatory but strongly recommended. Unlike the entrance exams for medical studies, these aptitude tests are non-binding. However, students who fail the tests are required to undertake remedial study programmes.
During the previous term of the Flemish government, the number of programmes with mandatory “start tests” tripled.
