The ministry will investigate the problems that bedevilled the announcing of the O-Net and A-Net (Ordinary and Advanced National Educational Test) scores as well as each university's direct admission system, Chaturon said after a meeting with top ministry and university officials.

Once conclusions have been drawn a more efficient admissions system will be designed, he said. The new system will adhere to the key objectives of ensuring equal access to higher education as well as basic educational reform, he said.

Chaturon said he had instructed the Council of University Presidents of Thailand to contact related agencies to decide how the admissions system should be fine-tuned for the next two academic years.

The changes should not be too drastic because many high school students are already preparing for the entrance exams, he said.

However, officials will have greater latitude in designing the admission system that will be implemented for the 2009 academic year.

Chaturon urged the council to host a discussion on the admissions system prior to its annual meeting on June 17.

Yesterday's meeting was attended by Education permanent secretary Khunying Kasama Varawarn na Ayutthaya, Higher Education Commission secretary-general Pavich Thongroj, National Institute of Education Testing Service chairwoman Sumontha Phromboon and about 80 representatives from universities.