Gat/Pat Thailand Exams
The general aptitude test (GAT) and professional and academic aptitude test (PAT) are for Thai students intending to enroll in state universities.
National Educational Tests in Thailand
The National Educational Tests are tests created by the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), also used to manage university admission tests such as GAT, PAT, and the General Subject Tests. The National Educational Tests include:
Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET)
Buddhism National Educational Test (B-NET)
Islamic National Educational Test (I-NET)
Non-Formal National Educational Test (N-NET)
Vocational National Educational Test (V-NET)
The O-NET was compulsory for Secondary six students and used in university admissions, but as of 2022, the O-NET is optional and not used in university admissions. In 2023 the GAT will be replaced with the TGAT, the Thai General Aptitude Test, and the PAT will be replaced with the TPAT, the Thai Professional Aptitude Test.
WHAT IS THE GAT TEST IN THAILAND?
General Admission Tests (GAT) is the university admission system for those who want a chance at an academic university in Thailand through a university admission process; a high score on GAT is essential; about 80 per cent of the total score is purely from the exam rooms.
The scores judge if students are qualified to study in their preferred fields and universities. Therefore, many Thai students must inevitably be studying very hard to ready themselves for a series of tests coming at the end of their high school life. They take many tutorial classes outside their schools and study until late at night.
However, nothing can guarantee that a Thai student's attempts will be effective or they will get satisfactory marks on the admissions tests.
Not every student in Thailand will get into public universities deemed prestigious by parents and society. Some students disappointed in the exams must resort to the private ones instead, which generally cost higher tuition fees.
How long is GAT valid?
GATS General tests are valid for two years.
Universities in Thailand
In Thailand, there are over 170 institutions of higher education learning, both public and private institutions offering over 4,100 curricula.
Many public universities acquire financial support from the government for research purposes. Over half of the provinces in Thailand have a government-run Rajabhat University (formerly Rajabhat Institutes) and the Rajamangala University of Technology; traditionally, these were/are teacher-training colleges.
Thai universities do not score positively in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University rankings, and they are losing ground compared to other Asian universities. The three top universities in Thailand are Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, and Thammasat; even the top-ranked universities are going down in the rankings. When QS first ranked Chulalongkorn, it ranked in 201st place but is now ranked 380. In 2012 Thammasat University ranked 561 but has consistently been ranked 600+ in prior years.
Thailand's leading universities include
Burapha University was the first higher education institution in eastern Thailand's industrial region. They Offer courses in arts, business administration, engineering, education, health sciences, humanities, logistics, science, social sciences, and tourism.
Chiang Mai University: It was the first institution of higher education in northern Thailand and the first provincial university in the country, providing programs in arts, health, humanities, science and technology, sciences, and social sciences.
Chulalongkorn University: is a research-focused university delivering programs in arts, engineering, technology, humanities, life sciences, medicine, management, natural sciences, and social sciences.
Kasetsart University: Originally founded as an agricultural college, it expanded its subject area to cover various academic disciplines. It offers programs in administration, agriculture, agro-industry, architecture, business economics, education, engineering, environmental science, fisheries, forestry, humanities, social sciences, veterinary technology, and veterinary medicine.
Khon Kaen University: It was the first university in northeastern Thailand. It provides courses in Education, Engineering and is a college of local administration.
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang: Famously known for programs in architecture, automotive engineering, computer engineering, and electrical engineering.
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok: Established in 1959 by the Thai Government and the Federal Republic of Germany as a joint collaboration project. They deliver specialized courses in architecture, engineering, and science.
King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi: Fam for civil engineering, electrical engineering, and school of energy programs.
Mahidol University: Medicine (Siriraj Hospital and Ramathibodi Hospital), health sciences, medical technology, pharmacy, and veterinary science.
Prince of Songkla University was the first university in southern Thailand. Hospitality, management sciences, Natural resources, and tourism.
Silpakorn University was founded as a fine arts university and expanded to include many other faculties.
Srinakharinwirot University: Dentistry, Education, humanities, and social sciences.
Thammasat University: Founded as a specialization and open university in Business, Economics, Law, and Political Sciences, before extending fields to become a national university. Programs cover humanities, health, social science, science & technology, and sciences.
Programs
Most bachelor's degree courses are four-year, full-time programs. Exceptions are education and architecture, which mandate five years, and the doctor of dental surgery, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine requires a minimum of six years of study.
Master's degree programs last for either one or two years, and the degree is granted based on course credits with either a thesis or a final exam. Upon achieving a master's degree, students may apply for an admission exam to a two or five-year doctoral program.
The doctorate is conferred upon completion of coursework, research, and the successful proposal of a dissertation. There are at least 1,000 Ph.D. programs offered at 33 Thai universities.
Admissions
Currently, Thai university admissions are made through the "Thai University Central Admission System" or TCAS, a central admissions system created by the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT). The Thai system includes four rounds of admissions: portfolio admissions, quota admissions, joint admissions, and direct admissions.
Round 1: Portfolio admissions
Universities admitting students in this round have a lot of freedom in establishing admission requirements but generally look at a student's extracurricular activities and achievements, so a portfolio comprising the student's personal information along with their extracurricular activities and evidence of accomplishments is expected by most universities. However, some programs will also accept and consider international standardized examinations, such as the SAT, IELTS, BMAT, etc.
Round 2: Quota admissions
Round 2 admissions are planned to provide more opportunities in education for students in areas outside of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Round 2 is comparable to Round 1 in that programs receiving students in this round have freedom in setting their conditions. However, TGAT, TPAT, and General Subject Test scores are usually required.
Round 3: Joint admissions
In this round, universities accept students with exam scores of TGAT, TPAT, and General subject tests. Round 3 admissions are managed by the CUPT rather than the universities.
Round 4: Direct admissions
In round 4, universities have total autonomy in creating their requirements and criteria. Universities can require scores in TGAT, TPAT, General subject tests, or other exams such as the SAT and IELTS. They can also need the student's portfolio and set requirements for their area of origin.
Admissions exams
The standardized exams universities typically accept are:
Thai General Aptitude Test or TGAT (Replacing GAT in 2023)
The TGAT is separated into three sections:
Critical and Logical Thinking
English communication
Future workforce competency
Thai Professional Aptitude Tests or TPAT (Replacing PAT in 2023)
Architecture
Education
Engineering
Liberal Arts
Medicine
Technology
Science
Currently, there are TPATs for five fields
TPAT 1: Medical Aptitude Test (developed by the consortium of Thai medical schools)
TPAT 2: Liberal Arts Aptitude Test
TPAT 3: Scientific, technological, and Engineering Aptitude Test
TPAT 4: Architecture Aptitude Test
TPAT 5: Teaching and Educational Aptitude Test
General Subjects Test|Standard Subject Tests|Nine Subject Tests
General Subject Tests are intended to test a student's knowledge and understanding of each subject and his/her ability to apply that knowledge. The General Subject Tests include:
Applied science
Applied mathematics includes two optional sections: basic and advanced.
Biology
Chemistry
English
Other foreign languages (replacing PAT 7 in 2023)
French
German
Japanese
Chinese
Arabic
Pal
Korean
Physics
Social studies
Thai
Related
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-work-permit to read about the Thai Work Permit rules and requirements.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/teaching-english-in-thailand to read about the requirements for teaching in Thailand.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/importance-of-the-wai to read about Thai people and Thai greetings.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/teacher-training-program-thailand to read about Meaningful Work and Travel Teaching Positions starting in May 2023 with teacher training in April 2023.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-thai-school-calendar to read about the school year in Thailand and how it is different from most other countries.
Go to https://kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-complete-guide-to-the-thai-alphabet to read a detailed guide to the Thai language, the Thai alphabet, and some useful Thai words and numbers.
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