A couple of Thai students hit top scores in 2014's Ordinary National Education Test (Onet), but many students performed poorly, according to the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec).
Director of Obec's educational testing bureau, Kanok Intarapruck, said on Wednesday that peer coaching would be introduced in provincial schools and the online testing system expanded to schools upcountry in a bid to improve test scores.
"Schools that performed well should help those with bad results. The online testing system will help with teachers' assessments and students' self-assessment," he said.
Mr Kanok said the new methods were designed to help Thai students improve their tests scores in eight subjects: Thai and English language, mathematics, science, social science, careers, technology, physical education and art.
Obec secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said those hard-working Prathom 6 students who scored full marks in more than two subjects in this year's Onet exams gave hope that future test scores might improve.
"I do not think it is easy to get top results. For me, it was impossible to score full marks when I was a kid. These students are so smart and can set a good example to their friends," Mr Kamol said.
However, the Obec secretary-general admitted the Education Ministry has a big challenge ahead to improve students' learning ability across the board, especially in 15,000 small schools.
Over the next few years, the Onet tests will feature increasingly analytical questions which may prove challenging to students, Mr Kamol said.
Children who are outstanding in non-academic fields such as art, dancing, or leadership will always be given support, he added.
Mr Kamol predicted that over the next 3-4 years, the weighting of Onet scores will increase from 30% of exit exam marks to 50%.
Thanas Wongsamut, the only student to score full marks in three subjects — science, mathematics and English — comes from Wat Don Kai Tia School in Phetchaburi province. He told the Bangkok Post his ambition to become a robotics engineer motivated him to get good grades.
Phrathom 6 student Thanas said the key to getting good grades is not such a mystery, and anyone can do it. "Pay attention in class, do homework and note down any important points in all subjects," he said.
Thanas said his provincial school has plenty of good teachers but lacks up-to-date equipment, especially in science classes.
Sirawich "Junior" Voraphiphat, a Prathom 6 student from Anubansamsen School in Bangkok, who scored full marks in English and mathematics tests, said he has already passed the entrance exam to Samsen Wittayalai School's English Programme.
"My parents are pleased and their happiness means a lot to me," he said.
Prathom 6 students' latest Onet results showed marks in English, social science and science were up 3-5%. However, scores in mathematics and Thai have taken a turn for the worse.