Amid the NEET controversy, now educationalists are in a view that the entire testing and examination system needs significant reforms. While preparing their tests, psychologists use a term known as ‘predictive validity’, which refers to a test that is valid if the results correlate with future behaviour. For instance, if any test does show that a person is a good leader then her behavior must correlate to the results of the test in the workplace too. Now the predictive validity of the tests is questionable with such controversies about whether such tests are measuring what they purport to measure. 

For various controversial reasons, we got 67 toppers in the NEET examination this year. Not only in medical exams but lack of seats and gradual inflation of aspirants has become common now. We are lacking the required medical seats that can fulfil the doctor-population ratio which is required in society. After such problems were raised with the examination and the Supreme Court’s statement which questioned its “sanctity”, now students are questioning how viable it is to believe the testing agencies of government.  

Also, institutions such as CBSE when conducting its exams, generally have a mixture of objective and subjective question papers are visible. It is to check the holistic abilities of the student. However, now it is also a questionable fact that how much predictive validity, just objective question papers or subjective papers in DU have? How viable it is to say now that a person scoring good marks on this paper will prove herself as a talented candidate?

Problems with just objective or subjective question papers 

Especially in the disciplines of humanities and social sciences, the question papers are completely subjective at Delhi University. Exams of NTA inclusive of NEET and CUET are completely objective papers. Relying solely on just one format of paper does possess a lot of problems. Such as: – 

1. How is the subjective and diversity of knowledge checked when we just have objective question papers? 
2. How shall we ensure the fundamentals are clear when we do not have a single objective question in the question paper? 
3. Why are students in the view that filling the pages in exams, especially in DU will provide more marks? 
4. How practical is the reference list provided for DSCs of honours courses where it is generally observed that one semester is not of complete 6 months? 
5. Isn’t it viable to argue that guesswork plays a significant role too in objective questions? When we have four options there is a 25 percent probability of one option being correct even in random guesses.  
6. How inclusive is today’s examination pattern? 

Voice of reforms 

In 1948 Radha Krishnanan Commission postulated that “If we are to suggest one single reform in University Education, it should be that of examinations.” 

The NPERC states that “Examination reform cannot be construed as an isolated activity to bring about process orientation. It has to go as a package along with reform in the structuring of courses and flexibility for students to avail of the restructured courses according to their convenience.” 

Thus, it is very apparent here that voices are there in Favour of the need for reforms. We have to make the examinations more inclusive and as per the market demands. It is an unfortunate situation for us that educated students are finding it difficult to fit themselves in the market. 

Suggestive reforms 

We need a change and direction here. The following changes can help us to make these examinations more viable. 

1. Inclusion of industries in setting up examination patterns. Finding jobs in the cluttered market seems to be difficult as the standards are not equivalent to it. If we want an employed youth, the process framing of the curriculum itself must have the contribution of industries and the required skill set. 
2. We must have both objective and subjective patterns of examination to make it more inclusive and diverse. 
3. We need a separate committee to examine the viability of the present examination system. 
4. There is a need for decentralization of political power in the education sector. Thus, the reforms can be implemented from grass root levels 
5. The paper leaks and exam mafias do require ‘treatment’ from the government. It is very unfortunate for students to see their efforts vanish as a result. 
6. Students need more transparency in the evaluation process. 

Thus, in a nutshell, we can conclude that it is high time to make the examination system much more viable. We need an accurate, viable and transparent examination system that can provide a level playing field for everyone. 

References

Youth library, Freepik images

https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/examination-reforms-in-india/45224#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20reform%20the,commission%20too%20repeated%20these%20reforms.

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The NEET exam is one of the most prestigious exams conducted by the NTA every year. This is considered to be the pathway to reaching one’s goal of being a doctor. Getting a government medical college is something that is a dream of not only the students but the entire family. This time this struggle is facing a NEET controversy.

The sleepless nights and the struggle through which the aspirants go are exemplary of how penance takes place. However, this year some series of events have disappointed the entire community of aspirants as well as some well-known teachers. What is this controversy about? What arguments are formulated from both sides?  If we have any viable solutions to the problem? This blog shall cover the basics of this matter. 

The root cause

The inflated marks of students this year have caught the limelight. When 67 candidates have bagged up top rank in this exam with a percentile of 99.97. Around this, nearly six candidates appeared for the exam around the same centre. The average mark for qualified candidates is 323.55 for the 2024 exam.

Also, students are alleging that given the pattern of the examination scoring 718 or 719 marks is not possible. Although NTA has clarified the case it was grace marks given on instructions of the Supreme Court. This is because those students have less time to complete the examination.

However, further scrutiny of the matters demanded, such as how many marks have been awarded for how much loss of time has not been clarified. Thus, students see a lack of transparency in the system which is another major cause for disappointment. Allegations are there in the sphere of centres too. This is because 8 toppers from the same centre and state of Haryana is something bigger than just a coincidence. 

NTA’s response 

“Out of the 67 candidates who got 720/720 marks, 44 are on account of the revision in one answer key of Physics and six are on account of compensatory marks for loss of time,” a statement by NTA said, as students, parents, educators, and even medical fraternity questioned how 67 students shared the same rank one. 

“It is pertinent to mention that the toppers are from across the country,” NTA further denied that there were six toppers from the same examination Centre in Haryana. 

Also, NTA clarifies the position of the increase in several toppers with the argument that this time there was a greater pool of students appearing in the examination that itself inflated the results making it more competitive.  

It further stated that in many questions due to differences in the old and new versions of textbooks, two options have been considered as correct.  

Also, 718 and 719 were the marks that were grace to compensate for loss of time. 

Up raged students and social media activism 

Students on social media are continuously demanding either the conduction of exams or to find alternative ways to have justice here. Amid controversy here parents lodged complaints with district higher officers in Jind seeking intervention of centre in the matter.  

Students are here also disappointed with such an increased level of competition and lack of government medical seats. Results this time indicate that even the top rankers are finding it very difficult to get into government medical colleges.

Thus, the scores which were last time considered phenomenal have now depreciated to have no value. This high level of competition and unsuitable doctor-patient ratio in the country is putting pressure on the system to have some reforms in the examination process. 

The way forward  

Thus, as mentioned to have efficient examinations, there is an urgent need to have the reform process in the system: – 

The need to bring transparency to the system 

The government must actively engage to bring appropriate transparency to the system. All the methods of normalization or providing grace marks along with the quantity must be properly clarified. The conduction of the examination should move towards a two-way process where the advice of the student community must be accepted and respected. 

Strict monitoring of paper leaks 

This is not in this context but in general paper leaks are something that is in the limelight in this election campaign also. Being a sensitive matter strict monitoring of paper leaks with senior officials and police as well as central forces shall be there for the protection of question paper before the conduction of the examination 

To increase the available medical seats 

The campus now must think to have the infrastructure that can accommodate the passionate aspirants of Neet. Such a higher level of competition is a demotivating factor for students to move towards the medical line 

Thus, in a nutshell, we shall conclude that every problem has some keys to getting its solution. Criticizing alone the system or the blame games is not going to do anything. The time suggests that there is a need for collaboration between the system and aspirants so that such problems can be dealt with to find comprehensive solutions.  

 References

The Indian Express, NDTV news, Pexels, Image- India.com, vecteezy

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/grace-marks-controversy-parents-terms-a-scam-in-neet-ug-results-lodge-complaint-with-officials-demanded-relief-for-affected-students/articleshow/110773495.cms

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 The corporate world and our education sector are full of competition. The number of seats available in the education sector for medical and engineering demands stiff competition among students to win the seats. Similarly, promotion in the corporate sector is based on performance compared with others. Then this is considered as a basis for whom the promotion will be provided. Thus, there is a hoax of a rat race created in society to get ahead of others to be called as achievers.  

Although psychologists claim that competition is necessary for a healthy life, it has its limits. How healthy is your competition? How much is this rat race helping you to be yourself in life? What are the ways to prevent unhealthy competition in the workplace? Also, the most fundamental questions include how necessary is competition for cognitive and economic development and what the ways to get away from the unhealthy repercussions of these unhealthy competitions. This blog shall deal with the fundamental aspects of competition that exist here in our immediate environment. 

Healthy v/s unhealthy competition 

We can classify the competition into two fundamental categories. Healthy and unhealthy competition. Healthy competition on the one hand is a kind of competition where the goal is to upskill oneself by learning from others. When the defeat is not a matter of life and death rather it is just the means of improvement. A kind of rat race where inferiority or superiority complex does not have a significant place in the improvement of the person. 

However, on the other hand, competition where the main aim is to defeat others leads to generations of unhealthy competition. This kind of competition leads to the creation of an extremely negative environment in society.   Nowadays the education sector and the corporate sector are gradually moving towards being war zones. The increasing rate of the unhealthy rat race is something very alarming in society which has its significant ramifications. 

Repercussions of Unhealthy Rat Race

Unhealthy competitions have several repercussions that are apparent in a variety of contexts. These can be summarized as: – 

1. It affects the mental health of students in a very negative manner. To develop interest in any discipline it is necessary to avoid the over-justification effect among students. This is a term used in social psychology here the intrinsic motivation to do a work tends to deteriorate when it is accompanied by external rewards and punishment. The unhealthy competitions lead to the development of inferiority and superiority complex among students which tend to decrease their intrinsic motivation for academics 
2. It leads to a problem of labelling of individuals. If someone tends to perform well in any task or competition, we tend to label the person as per the performance. This affects one’s self-concept and to bring congruity here, it impacts future performance too 
3. The talents which couldn’t be demonstrated in any particular test get under the vain which leads to loss of talents. 
4. Unhealthy competitions are a threat to fraternity in the organization if defeating one’s colleague becomes the goal. 
5. Failure creates a lot of pressure on oneself when one’s ego fails to defend oneself. Thus, it has ramifications in terms of the mental health of individuals. Also, it tends to provide the incorrect basis for judgement of oneself 

Cases of loss due to unhealthy competition 

1. The deaths in Kota due to suicides are apparent examples of the negative repercussions of unhealthy rat race. Where children of 15-16 years find it difficult to stand in the complex social structure where the battle to prove oneself continues. 
2. As many as 12 intermediate students committed suicide in April 2023 after the declaration of the examination results. The increase in suicide among youths between 14 to 18 years of age has extracted major concerns for the education department. 
3. A news report reported that “7 lakh suicides occurring worldwide each year, quite a significant number comprises India’s youngsters — suicide is the leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 30 here.” 

Ways to avoid unhealthy rat race 

1. Foster relationships: – Try to form healthy relationships among your peers. This will just label the competition as a part of your job. Thereby making it easier for you to deal with the competition when you tend to value the relationship more than the competition 
2. Try to focus on self-improvement. You need to consider that the main goal of the competition is your improvement rather than your victory. 
3. Consider failure as a way of improvement. It is normal for humans to fail. Thus, please consider failure as just the way of improvement rather than as an attack on the ego. 
4. One match won’t make u unsuccessful. There is always a way forward. Thus, irrespective of the history please focus on future opportunities. Optimism acts as a barrier to unhealthy rat race

Thus, in a nutshell, we can conclude that competition plays a vital role in our development when it is healthy. Otherwise, if it becomes a matter of life and death or self-respect then we shall see many Kotas in future. Thus, our institutions must educate their members regarding the ways of competition. Thus, competition on a limited scale is necessary for the holistic development of individuals. 

references

freepik indiatoday, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/100-score-culture-will-lead-to-unhealthy-competition-say-experts/articleshow/91676961.cms

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Preparing for the Heat

Equipped with protective gear and bottles of water-based drinks, DU students are taking proactive steps to mitigate the effects of the oppressive heat. Many are seen wearing hats, carrying umbrellas, and donning light, breathable clothing to help keep their bodies cool. The scorching heat has also led to a noticeable increase in the consumption of hydrating beverages such as electrolyte drinks, lemon water, and traditional Indian coolers like aam panna and chaas.

Battling the Blues and the Heat

The relentless heatwave has not only made physical endurance a necessity but has also impacted students’ mental stamina. The pressure of exams combined with the discomfort of the heat can be overwhelming. To cope, many students are adopting new strategies to stay focused and calm.

Exam Halls: A Test of Resilience

Stepping into the sweltering exam halls, students are greeted by the reality of minimal relief from the heat. While some exam centers are equipped with fans, the high temperatures often render them insufficient. The lack of air conditioning in many halls adds to the struggle.

Precautions for Students During a Heatwave

Delhi University students facing exams amid an intense heatwave must take specific precautions to ensure their well-being. Here are some essential tips to help them sustain and perform their best under such extreme conditions:

1. Stay Hydrated

• Drink Plenty of Water: Carry a reusable water bottle and drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration can affect concentration and overall health.
• Electrolyte Drinks: Include oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or electrolyte drinks to replenish lost salts and minerals.
• Avoid Caffeine and Sugary Drinks: These can lead to dehydration. Opt for water, coconut water, or traditional Indian coolers like aam panna and chaas.

2. Dress Appropriately

• Light and Breathable Clothing: Wear cotton or linen fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and help keep your body cool.
• Protective Gear: Use hats, caps, or scarves to shield yourself from direct sunlight. Sunglasses can protect your eyes, and carrying an umbrella can provide portable shade.

3. Manage Your Environment: Consider using portable fans or cooling towels. Soak a towel in cold water and place it on your neck or wrists to cool down your body temperature while going to exam centre or while writing paper.

With temperatures expected to remain high, DU students continue to face the dual challenge of academic pressure and extreme heat. The resilience and adaptability displayed by these young individuals highlight their determination to succeed despite the odds.

As the heatwave persists, the hope is that both institutional support and individual strategies will help students not only survive but thrive in these testing times.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) is gearing up to administer the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT 2024) tomorrow, on Wednesday, May 15. This crucial examination is slated to be conducted in two shifts to accommodate the multitude of aspiring management students. The first session will take place from 9am to 12 noon, followed by the second session scheduled between 3pm and 6pm.

• Download Your Hall Ticket through the link

For aspirants preparing to ace the CMAT 2024, it’s important to keep in mind that entry to the exam centers will be strictly regulated. To gain access, candidates must carry their admit cards.

For those who are yet to download their admit cards, fret not, as there’s still time to obtain them. The NTA has made the process streamlined and accessible through their official website, exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/. To download the hall tickets, candidates will need to provide their application number, password, and security pin. This simple procedure ensures that no candidate is left behind on the day of the examination.

• Format of The CMAT 2024

CMAT 2024 holds significant importance for students aspiring to pursue management education across prestigious institutions in the country. With the examination just around the corner, candidates have been fervently preparing themselves to tackle the challenging questions that await them.

The CMAT 2024 exam will be held on computers and will last for three hours. There will be five parts to the question paper: quantitative technique and data interpretation, logical reasoning, language comprehension, general awareness, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Passing the exam will make candidates eligible for management and PGDM programs at participating universities. Each section will have 20 questions, each worth 80 marks, for a total of 400 marks. The question paper will be in English.

• What’s should the candidate should bring and what should not?

To the exam centers, candidates should bring their CMAT admit card, which they can download from the NTA website. They’ll also need a printed copy of the hall ticket and an undertaking. They should bring a transparent ballpoint pen, an extra photo for the attendance sheet, a clear water bottle, and a valid government photo ID. If they’re diabetic, they can bring sugar tablets or fruits.

However, watches, phones, calculators, and other electronics, as well as books and notebooks, are not allowed. Candidates can’t leave bags or valuables at the test center, and they should avoid metal in their clothing or accessories. If someone has a pacemaker, they need to bring proof.

The CMAT serves as a gateway to some of the most esteemed management programs offered by various institutions. Therefore, meticulous preparation and a strategic approach are pivotal for candidates aiming to secure a competitive edge in this examination.

The NTA remains committed to conducting the CMAT 2024 smoothly and efficiently, providing equal opportunities for all candidates to showcase their aptitude and potential in the field of management.

In conclusion, with the CMAT 2024 exam on the horizon, candidates are encouraged to stay focused, confident, and well-prepared. This examination marks a significant milestone in their academic journey, paving the way for future success in the dynamic world of management.

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