Conclusions – A Critical Review of the Contributions of UCT-Led Literacies Testing Over Three Decades

As the chapter title suggests, this is a review of the work presented in the first four chapters. It calls for greater engagement with the key directions and research focuses of the project, but points to the coherence of the research and project leadership. The chapter reviews the work and research contributions against a number of important themes raised in foregoing chapters: (1) the access, redress and admissions theme; (2) the student and programme placement theme; (3) contributions to assessment design and development; (4) contributions towards assessment students’ literacies strengths and weaknesses. The chapter attempts a stand-back analysis of the value and shortfalls in the work, but also in the higher education sector. It surfaces the contestations and dilemmas that have surrounded the work in the South African higher education sector, but also points to the ways in which the issues raised in the research and the work have international resonances, relevance and interest.