Standardized nationwide tests, or entry exams that are the same for everyone are the only fair and equal ways of choosing who is admitted to study and who isn't

Standardized nationwide tests, or entry exams that are the same for everyone are the only fair and equal ways of choosing who is admitted to study and who isn't. Anything else leads to corruption and discrimination. Helping those who are disadvantaged to achieve better educational outcomes should happen already way earlier, starting from their childhood. Proper teacher training, social services and extra funding for schools in poorer areas (regardless of race/ethnicity of population) is a good way to do that. That's basically how Nordic welfare states work, and the results are pretty good in terms of social mobility.