TV offers classes for GAT and PAT students

The two-hour Tutor Channel programme, beginning at 10am, will instruct 11th and 12th grade students on the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) each Saturday until October 3.

 It will then tutor 12th grade students on the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) until January 30 next year.

During other periods of the day, the station will air general subjects and educational programmes throughout the year, according to Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisith, who said he was not deterred by anticipated criticism the Tutor Channel would benefit him politically.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Educational Testing Service defended complaints that GAT and PAT exams failed to accurately evaluate students, saying both tests were innovative exams which eliminated chances for students randomly selecting the answers in multiple-choice tests.

NIETS director Uthumphorn Jamornmarn said GAT focused on evaluating students on their analytic skills, problem-solving and reading comprehension better than previous tests. "These areas match evaluation criteria set up by the University Presidents' Council of Thailand, essential for students when they resume their studies at undergraduate level," she added.