Iraq allows universities to add bonus points for master's admissions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdulhussein al-Musawi, has authorized universities and institutes to process master's program admission results. Under the regulation, university councils can award up to five bonus points to applicants who scored between 40 and 44 on the entrance examination. The bonus points are intended to fill remaining slots in approved admissions plans. Applicants will be ranked and placed according to the highest differentiation rate among candidates with the adjusted scores. According to the ministry, universities have been instructed to complete all processing within three days from the date of the directive. Once the process is finalized, admission decrees are to be issued immediately. The ministry said all higher education institutions would be able to apply the new arrangements and are required to report back to the ministry.