New Higher Education Access Test Results to be Delivered Amid Controversy
After the controversy surrounding the disclosure of the results of the Higher Education Access Test (PAES), the next step in the 2024 admission process is set to take place on Tuesday at noon with the delivery of the results of the applications to various universities that are part of the centralized system.
A total of 188,709 individuals applied for admissions, which is a 0.8% increase from the previous process, resulting in 1,483 more applicants. Out of these, 150,494 people were selected for admission in 2024, representing a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Even when considering only the regular route, 146,326 individuals were selected, reflecting a 4.1% increase from the 2023 process.
According to data from the Undersecretary of Higher Education, the area of Health had the highest number of applications, continuing the trend from the previous year. Meanwhile, Humanities and Basic Sciences saw significant drops in the number of selected individuals, with a decrease of 4.9% and 4.4%, respectively.
Health remains the area with the greatest weight within the total of selected candidates in the system, accounting for 26.5% of the careers. Medicine is the career with the most applicants, continuing its trend from the previous year. There were also decreases in applications for popular majors like Psychology, Law, and Nursing.
The figures for 2024 admissions reflect a trend that was already observed in previous years, such as changes introduced to favor the training of new teachers due to a projected crisis of teacher shortages. A policy that promoted female applications, known as More Women Scientists (+MC), led to an increase in the number of female applicants to these careers, as well as an increase in the representation of women in careers in STEM areas.
The Access to Higher Education Program (PACE) saw an expansion of places and qualified students this year, resulting in a 30% increase in the number of people selected through this means. Similarly, the number of individuals with disabilities or special educational needs who requested adjustments for the PAES and were admitted increased by 52.8%.
Víctor Orellana, the Undersecretary of Higher Education, emphasized that the results show a diversification of access to higher education, allowing groups that previously had less participation to reach a greater proportion today. He highlighted the need to continue incorporating changes to improve the system of access to higher education and to position education at the service of sustainable human development in Chile.