Irish universities say there is a need to reassess the points system of college entry and its impact on learning at second level.
In a document published today in the run up to a major conference on the issue, the Irish Universities Association also warned that no alternative system will be perfect.
It said reform of the current system will mean trade-offs in areas such as equity or transparency.
In its document, the association includes a number of suggestions, including one that would see all colleges set a basic entry requirement for a greatly reduced number of foundation style first year courses.
Another idea is that a quota be set aside for the top performing students in each school.
There are a total of nine options discussed in the document, although the universities stop short of recommending any of them.
Tomorrow Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and others will address a one-day conference on reforming the CAO points system.
There is broad agreement that the current method of college entry is damaging second-level education, stifling creativity and promoting teaching and learning "to the exam".
