THE Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme (CPISP) has started the assessment of more than 400 applicants.

The programme, in co-operation with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), held qualifying tests at BIBF headquarters to assess the candidates’ English language and critical reasoning skills.

The tests included an online computer-based test of English proficiency, in addition to three critical reasoning tests to assess verbal, numerical, and diagrammatical reasoning, said CPISP director Dr Cynthia Gessling.

Applicants currently studying outside Bahrain took the tests under supervised conditions at an appropriate location.

Based on the results of the qualifying tests and their Grade Point Average, selected candidates will be invited to take part in various training and preparation courses for standardised testing throughout the summer and the next academic year, with the final 10 recipients selected next year for the programme. Dr Gessling confirmed that the programme had received 420 applications.