I would like to put forward best arguments for both systems, maybe it will direct our discussion somewhat.
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Method 1.
Give everyone equal chance at competing in the admission process itself, regardless of how they got prepared. Someone who prepared well, for any reason, might do well in the future too, for the same reason.
Result 1: Get the best prepared students to best colleges, maximize the number of top scientists / engineers / lawyers / etc graduating. Stronger academia and industry in the end.
Result 2: Meritocracy.
Result 3: On the feeling level: objective reward for hard work (no good example comes to mind, but maybe a Cinderella-type story).
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Method 2.
Give everyone equal chance both during the preparation and taking the test. Since that cannot actually be done by the time tests are taken, instead normalize the test result to adversity levels, on the assumption that someone held back by difficult circumstance is likely to perform ~25% better once released from the difficulty.
Result 1: Uncover potential geniuses in the rough, remove mediocre-or-lazy-but-pampered kids.
Result 2: Reduce stratification of society, even if at the expense of overall academic performance of the country.
Result 3: On the feeling level: a fighting chance for poor kids in bad situations (think "The Wire" type kids).
--------
Method 1.
Give everyone equal chance at competing in the admission process itself, regardless of how they got prepared. Someone who prepared well, for any reason, might do well in the future too, for the same reason.
Result 1: Get the best prepared students to best colleges, maximize the number of top scientists / engineers / lawyers / etc graduating. Stronger academia and industry in the end.
Result 2: Meritocracy.
Result 3: On the feeling level: objective reward for hard work (no good example comes to mind, but maybe a Cinderella-type story).
--------
Method 2.
Give everyone equal chance both during the preparation and taking the test. Since that cannot actually be done by the time tests are taken, instead normalize the test result to adversity levels, on the assumption that someone held back by difficult circumstance is likely to perform ~25% better once released from the difficulty.
Result 1: Uncover potential geniuses in the rough, remove mediocre-or-lazy-but-pampered kids.
Result 2: Reduce stratification of society, even if at the expense of overall academic performance of the country.
Result 3: On the feeling level: a fighting chance for poor kids in bad situations (think "The Wire" type kids).