Less than a year after the Oxford University signed a contract with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) iON to oversee the Oxford admissions test, the varsity has decided to terminate its deal with the company.

“Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates undertaking Oxford’s online admissions tests in 2023, as well as their schools, colleges and other test centres, we have undertaken a detailed review of the issues to understand better how and why these occurred and taken on board the expert and valuable feedback shared. Our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Martin Williams has recently written to all test centres to communicate our decision to end our relationship with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS),” an official statement from the UK-based varsity stated.

The pro vice chancellor assured all affiliated schools and colleges that the varsity will do “utmost to streamline the process and ensure that the burden on teachers and exams officers is minimised as far as practically possible,” he said in a letter addressed to all affiliated teachers and exams officers.

On April 10, 2023 TCS had announced that it had been selected by Oxford University for the delivery of most of the university’s admissions tests from 2023 onwards.

However, in October several candidates took to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) to complain about technical glitches during their admission tests. Candidates reported frozen screens, server crashes and more.

We look forward to a written apology and statement about the progress of the tests today. Not only with technical errors, but also the error on the ELAT. Students have prepared for these for months, so rapid response is necessary to assure them they will not be disadvantaged. https://t.co/Afw2NRPlf0

— HSFC Reach & Early Apps (@HSFCEarlyApps) October 19, 2023

“How will the admissions process go ahead from this? I freezed after 20 minutes and was forced to stare at my screen for another 3 HOURS whilst other students froze 2 hours in but had another hour to CHECK their answers and DISCUSS answers with fellow students,” an X user, David John, posted.

“What is going to happen to those who did the elat when there was an error in the question leaving many students who didn’t know at a disadvantage,” another X user, Emma, posted.

Preparation is irrelevant if the paper won't launch or keeps freezing. And not even a working hotline number to call for assistance on the day! Very poor.

— SwimmingInAWineDarkSea (@SwimmingWine) October 19, 2023

Following this, local media also reported that the Oxford University decided to not use results from its botched online admissions tests to award places on next year’s English courses.

Additionally, Balliol College of Oxford University also posted an official statement about the technical glitches faced by students, especially in ELAT, CAT and MAT tests.

“We understand the difficulty and disappointment some of our applicants will have experienced through technical problems with their online tests this year. Schools and test centres have been asked to let us know via the Special considerations form if something affected their student/s performance during their Oxford admissions test. Some tests were affected more than others, and we understand that applicants who took or were due to take the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) or the Classics Aptitude Test (CAT) should have received an official statement from the University relating to steps taken to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged by the difficulties encountered,” the official statement read.

The university is now working on alternative options for 2024.

Oxford’s admissions tests include CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, AMELAT, and the Philosophy test. Additionally, a new Geography Admissions Test (GAT) was also introduced for 2023.