Prof. Chen Yotsanan announced after talks with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) a plan to establish equitable TCAS by freezing registration fees for one more year, expanding free A-Level exam rights to seven subjects, and promoting "TCASFolio" to reform the selection system and reduce disparities, with intentions to move the portfolio round to after the exams.
26 Apr 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) delivered policy guidance on higher education, science, research, and innovation to the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) to align the missions of higher education institutions with national strategies and ministry policies. Present were Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Dr. Sriyada Parimapan, Advisor to the MHESI Minister; Mr. Sukit Srichomkwan, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister (Political Affairs); Mr. Chatriin Janhom, Secretary to the MHESI Minister; Prof. Dr. Wilert Phuriwatchara, CUPT Chair and President of Chulalongkorn University; MHESI executives; and university leaders, at the 6th Cycle Commemoration Auditorium, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).
Mr. Yotsanan said that after discussions with CUPT, three main points were agreed upon to create "equitable TCAS": 1. To keep TCAS registration fees at the current rate for another year, although there were previous plans to increase them, while also supporting budgets to allow applicants to take TGAT/TPAT 1-5 exams free of charge, and additionally expanding free A-Level exam rights up to seven subjects, with a fee of 100 baht per subject, up to seven subjects or 700 baht total, and maintaining free registration for up to seven choices in the 3rd admission round (Admission). Moreover, the portfolio round registration fee will be reduced by 25% for students under the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) to expand equal opportunity for selection.
2. To improve the portfolio selection system into a mechanism that truly reflects applicants' potential and reduces inequality through the "TCASFolio" standard, a central format for preparing and submitting portfolios. This aims to lessen unnecessary portfolio workload and reduce commercial outsourcing practices, alongside developing the "TCAS Verified" system, enabling original institutions to directly certify activity data. This will increase data reliability and prevent misrepresentation. Universities are also urged to balance admission quotas in the portfolio round, targeting an average not exceeding 30%, to maintain opportunities for all applicants. Additionally, they should review selection criteria that impose undue burdens or inequality, such as mandatory published research or high-cost activities, shifting focus instead to assessing relevant potential aligned with each field of study.
3. To implement systematic risk management mechanisms at all stages—from test development, quality control, data processing, to public communication— to ensure operations are correct, transparent, and build public confidence.
Furthermore, the practice of accepting and reviewing post-exam complaints will continue as part of quality assurance. Information and observations received will be reviewed with experts to carefully reconsider exam accuracy, answer keys, and scoring criteria before official score announcements, ensuring assessments fairly and accurately reflect students’ true potential.
Prof. Dr. Wilert added that CUPT is currently collecting data on portfolio admission proportions by faculty to establish joint future policies. There is also consideration to reorder the process, possibly completing centralized exams first, followed by portfolio evaluation, to motivate and offer fair options for students focusing on written tests.
For TCAS 70, the system will open on 15 July 2026, portfolio round applications on 15 August 2026, quota round on 13 March 2027, admission round on 7-11 May with additions on 12-13 May 2027, direct admission round from 29 May to 5 June 2027. The TGAT/TPAT exams have been postponed to January 2027 to reduce flood risks in some areas, allowing nationwide simultaneous testing. .
