The University of Liberia (UL) has revealed the results of the July 12, 2025, entrance exams, showing a mass failure in the tests. Out of 12,516 candidates who took the test, only 2,807 (about 24 percent) passed.
According to the Center for Testing and Evaluation (CTE), a total of 13,130 candidates registered for the undergraduate exams. Of these, 12,516 sat for the tests, with only 2,807 candidates — representing 22.42 percent — successfully passing. The gender breakdown showed 1,415 successful female candidates (50.41 percent) and 1,392 successful male candidates (49.59 percent).
At the David Straz-Sinje Technical and Vocational College in Grand Cape Mount County, 221 candidates registered, with 188 sitting for the exam. Of these, 25 passed, while others were placed into remedial categories or disqualified due to errors.
The entrance process combined computer-based and paper-based tests, with candidates required to meet a 70 percent pass mark in English and 60 percent in Mathematics to qualify for admission.
Detailed statistical breakdowns and analyses of the results were provided by Asst. Prof. Moses S. E. Hinneh, Jr. The focus was on transparency, with all information available online for candidates to access conveniently.
Addressing questions on grading and results, Asst. Prof. Moses S. E. Hinneh, Jr., Director of the Center for Testing and Evaluation, provided a detailed statistical breakdown. According to his report, 2,261 high school graduates passed the exams, while 548 current graduates and 18 candidates already enrolled in colleges and universities were also successful.
An age-based analysis revealed a diverse applicant pool, with the largest group of successful candidates aged 25–29 (500 candidates), followed closely by the 15–19 age group (550 candidates). In terms of subject performance, 472 candidates successfully passed English, among other key areas assessed.
A school-based distribution showed that private schools led the success rate, though public and faith-based schools also recorded significant results.
“All of the results, along with a summary of what was presented today, are available online. Candidates can check their status by entering their examination number,” Hinneh said. “While many focus on scores alone, the online portal provides a broader breakdown showing grading scales, category distributions, and comparative data for better understanding.”
UL president, Dr. Layli Maparyan, in addition to the release of the results, announced various academic reforms to enhance the university’s quality. She highlighted efforts to tackle academic fraud, promote gender equality, empower women, enhance disability access, and support research.
“The University of Liberia is on the move, as always, with many good things now and on the horizon,” Dr. Maparyan declared, stressing the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
Alongside the release of results, Dr. Maparyan outlined several key reforms. She highlighted UL’s crackdown on academic fraud, noting that a Standing Committee on Academic Fraud is actively reviewing misconduct cases, while a Transition Team is reforming operations within the Office of Enrollment Services.
She also emphasized the university’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, pointing out that the Office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (OGEWE), launched in June, implements policies on gender balance, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention, and women’s inclusion across the university.
Dr. Maparyan further announced initiatives to enhance disability access and inclusion, noting that in July UL administered its first Braille and assistive technology-supported entrance exam for visually impaired students in partnership with Liberia UniPOD. Awareness workshops on disability inclusion were also held across campuses.
On the research front, she revealed that on August 7, UL held a retreat for its Ph.D. and terminal degree-holding faculty, aimed at advancing research, innovation, and the President’s Five E’s vision: Education, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Excellence, and Ethics.
Additional updates included the completion of UL’s eight-week vacation school for juniors and seniors, the opening of registration for the first semester of the 2025 academic year, and the continuation of re-admissions and transfers for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Dr. Maparyan urged candidates to properly utilize UL’s digital resources for transparency and easy access:
“Everything we said is summarized online. What you saw in the presentation will also be on our official platforms for transparency and easy access.”
