University Examination, Assessment and Result Publication

Education: Examination,Assessment and Result Publication

DR. S.N.Chattopadhyay

Very recently we have witnessed a significant disorderliness in result publication in Bardhhaman University at Under Graduate level. Even some of our good non-academic friends and well-wishers started to express their doubts and cynicism towards the method and practices that one University generally follows, during taking Examination and publication of result, especially of Under Graduate level. Once when myself was a selected part of the Examination System of Calcutta University during 2004 to 2010, we tried to introduce decentralized system of Examination and Result Publication functioning. We thought it to introduce this proposed system instead of the existing centralized system of evaluation and publication of result.

Before any further discussion, at the outset we must admit that the syllabus-examination-degree are organically compounded. Thus to make our discussion effective and scientific, we must at the outset inter wave these three elements into a single frame of reference. Otherwise our attempt will meet an unwanted divisibility of course, where un-unitization is the only resultant. We also feel it essential as well as urgent to bring it under the direct indirect (through Controller) of the highest decision making authority of the University. But in our system a body of members in the Undergraduate Council is determining the Syllabus without inquiring the requirements and available infrastructural facilities at the grass root level where ultimately the framed Syllabus will be percolated. The Examination is generally conducted by the Controller and his Office. 

But unfortunately in some Universities Controller Is not even the statutory member of the highest decision making organ. The Controller of the University is seen to remain present there as an invitee members, whose presence is not also compulsory or mandatory. This body, when takes the decision of holding examination and fixing up the schedule of Examination, is very rare seen to take official cognition from the Controller and from his own Office. Of course a system of mutual understanding between these units runs round the process to make it successful. But there is no official bindings over the decision making authority that may bound it to take prior confirmation from operating unit of the University.

Our next crucial perspective is that, in Universities there are two important facets which are organically compounded. First is the curriculum portion and other is assessment of examination portion. Textually, curriculum portion determines the norms of assessment along the process of giving lessons to the pupils.  Credit points depends upon two corresponding factors: 1) the coverage of syllabus; 2) schedule of Examination and the corresponding performance of the candidate. Coverage of syllabus and credit marks in examination can be synchronized in two ways: First, by making a rational harmony between the syllabus and the pattern of questions would expected to be asked by the examiner during examination. To get away from this basic problem, the teacher may think to change the process of class room teaching, from “dry” lecture method to the “question” oriented method. He, before initiation of any topic for class room lecture, may give the probable questions that generally come from the matter to the Students. In this case, student will be able to find out the relevant portions of his/her text, for better preparation in the examination. They will also be able to identify the important part, on which they will be asked in the examination. Second, synchronization is also required to be done in allotting and dividing the number of classes for different part and for different subjects of the syllabus. Otherwise the concerned teacher as well as the related students will not get sufficient time cover the syllabus and the course.

Regarding the process of harmonizing the publication of Result, the authority should declare the schedule of publication of result along with the schedule of “reviewing” the marks. Not only that, the schedule for supplementary examination for reviewing and for improvement of grade should also be made time bound and according to a pre-schedule Programme.

For ensuring the security and uniformity, the system of masking the answer scripts through coding system should be introduced. Further, for the benefit of uniformity two methods can be used alternatively, of course after doing necessary piloting of the process. A) Centralized evaluation system, and B) Zonal evaluation system. Both these systems have already proved their applicability.

But there are certain basic problem to bring a line of order in syllabus, Examination and Publication of Result in time. These problems are:

1.       Uniformity in assessment system obviously require uniform teaching and learning process. The              heterogeneity of Colleges and Teaching faculties is an obstacle to that.
2.       Disparity in the number of teaching Staff and their different categories, like F.T.;P.T.; CWTT; G.F.      etc. is also an obstruction to our proposition.
3.       Difference of standard of U.G. Colleges is also a fact to be considered.
4.     Duration of finishing the syllabus in different colleges is also not uniform. This makes problem to the     Students to get them prepared for facing the questions in the Examination.
5.       So far, in spite of various attempts, the University authority has not been able to establish a uniform      norms of assessment of examination scripts.
6.       Reluctance of examiners to maintain the time schedule in receiving and depositing the script is one of   the basic problem of maintaining time schedule of result publication to the University authority.

If we start serious thinking on those problem them in near future the point of resolution will obviously be come. The credibility and faith on University examination system will then also be restored.

DR Sujit Narayan Chattopadhyay.