We are collecting this petition on behalf of all the examinees who recently took the Graduate Admission Test (GAT) under the Ethiopian Ministry of Education's administration. We, the concerned exam takers, would like to bring to your attention several pressing issues that have led to an unfair and unjust examination process. We seek your understanding and immediate action to address these concerns: -

1. Timing Discrepancies

We are deeply troubled by the significant timing discrepancies in the GAT exam administration. While some exam takers received the exam one week prior to the rest, the questions remained identical. This unfair advantage has the potential to skew the results significantly.

2. Cut-off Point Clarity

Another concerning issue is the lack of transparency regarding the cut-off point for the GAT exam. Candidates are left in the dark about the minimum score required for acceptance into postgraduate programs. This lack of information undermines our ability to set realistic goals and make informed decisions regarding our educational futures.

3. Unequal University Admission Criteria

The mandate from the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, which dictates that one university will accept students who score in the top 30th percentile and above, while all other 44 Universities must accept students score in the top 80th percentile and above, creates a manifest inequality in educational opportunities. Such a discrepancy not only hinders the distribution of talent but also severely limits student choice.

4. Calculator Prohibition

We also wish to express our concern about the prohibition of calculators in certain exam areas. This forces candidates to invest excessive time in manual calculations, which, in turn, impedes our ability to address a sufficient number of questions. As a result, candidates may leave the examination hall with incomplete exams and potentially lower scores.

In light of these significant issues, we urge the Ministry of Education to: -

• Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the timing discrepancies and potential misuse of exam materials.
• Provide clear and timely information regarding the cut-off point for the GAT exam to ensure transparency and equal opportunity.
• Review and amend the university admission criteria to ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of students among institutions.
• Reevaluate the prohibition of calculators in the quantitative sections of the exam to allow for more comprehensive answers.

We, the exam takers, implore you to take immediate action to rectify these issues. Fairness in the examination process is not only our right but also essential to the integrity of the education system. We hope for a swift response and resolution to these concerns.