Average interview scores 2021

The request was successful.

Dear Downing College, Cambridge,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am making this request regarding the assessment of applicants for undergraduate studies at Downing College, Cambridge.

Would it be possible to know:
a) the average interview score of successful applicants and
b) the average interview score of all candidates
for each subject for 2021 entry?

You provided the answer to this question for the 2016 cycle when it was requested in February 2016.

If you are to invoke Section 43 FOIA to withhold information in relation to any of these questions please note you must provide details of the exact FOIA exemption, details of who would be prejudiced by this information, and a public interest test justifying a conclusion with arguments for and against the release of the information.

If you are to invoke Section 12 FOIA to withhold information in relation to any of these questions please provide details of how locating, retrieving and extracting this information would exceed the appropriate limit of £450 as set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.

Please also be aware of your duty under section 16 (1) of the Act to advise and assist me in narrowing my request to bring it within the appropriate limit. For example, if the request is to be restricted to (a) rather than (a) and (b), you could simultaneously answer (a) in your advisory reply.

Thank you very much for your assistance with this request. If you would like any clarification on the information I have asked for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I look forward to receiving your response within the next 20 working days.

Yours sincerely,

Jenifer Dye (Dr)

Paul Boult, Downing College, Cambridge

Dear Dr Dye,

 

Thank you for your FoI request to Downing College concerning average
interview scores for all candidates for 2021 entry.

 

There has been a change of policy in the University in the past year
concerning the release of statistical data for ongoing admissions and the
colleges are aligning with that position. This has concluded that the
release of early and potentially inaccurate information to individuals,
rather than the validated and confirmed statistics published to all by the
University after the admissions round has concluded, can potentially
disrupt current and future admissions rounds if current and potential
applicants rely on that information.

 

Downing considers that the disclosure of statistics about applications
made within the current cycle (the Downing admissions round usually
completes in August) would be likely to prejudice the notion of a fair and
confidential admissions process which form a fundamental part of our
mission as an educational institution. Therefore, we believe this
information is exempt under section 36(2c) (prejudice to effective conduct
of public affairs).

 

Statistical information about previous admissions cycles is published by
the University for all the colleges at
[1]https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.u... is a
calculator at the foot of this page where you can specify information for
any college.

 

Further information about making a request to the College, including your
legal rights if you are not satisfied with our response may be found at
[2]http://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/documents...
     

 

Best wishes,

 

Paul Boult

Records & Information Manager

Downing College, Cambridge

 

 

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