UGC Receives Suggestions on Possible Exam Reforms
UGC has formed a committee to reform the existing system of examination which is followed by the higher learning institutes. The government is also planning to implement an Exam-on-Demand system which is currently followed by IGNOU and NIOS.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) formed an exclusive panel for suggesting measures for improving the examination system followed by higher learning institutes in the country. Recently, the panel suggested that 75% of weightage must be given to internal assessment in conjunction with 25% of the external assessment. The move will counter carelessness and negligence by external examiners while evaluating answer sheets and avoids delay in the exam system. The expert committee also ruled out an ability test for graduates, stating that it would lead to disinterest among students preparing for the proposed test. Instead, the committee recommended “clustering of streams” for post-graduation based on commonality of various courses.
UGC Expected Exam Forms (As Per Suggestions of MM Salunke Committee)
The UGC-constituted committee headed by VC of Bharati Vidyapeeth, MM Salunke made the following suggestions to UGC with regard to exam reforms -
Question Paper Setting in Universities Must be Changed: The UGC committee recommended that the UGC must revise the existing question paper setting system. According to the committee's recommendation, the question papers must be framed from a set of question bank that carries all types of questions such as easy, moderate and difficult. The ratio, which must be followed for including questions from various levels of difficulty should be pre-decided.
Auditing Question Papers: The committee proposed auditing of question papers at regular intervals. At the same time, the question papers must be objective.
Interpretive Structural Model (ISM): The committee favoured the implementation of Interpretive Structural Model (ISN) for assessment. The new model will identify 93 elements and gives better results/ outcomes.
Two-Level of Exams: The committee recommended conducting two-level exam in higher learning institutes viz. Internal and External. The Internal Exams should be conducted in a stress-free manner, and an ability test can be conducted for on-spot assessment.
Apart from the above, the committee also recommended introducing subjects with 50% weightage.
Earlier, the panel invited suggestions from stakeholders, university and college teachers, students and officials associated with the higher education system regarding possible exam reforms.
UGC invited suggestions on various aspects of the examination system such as: -
- Moderation Procedure
- Grading System
- Credit System
- Objectives of Exam
- Evaluation
Top officials of different higher learning institutes welcomed the move of UGC. They are expecting changes in the annual examination with more emphasis on the external written examination.
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On the other hand, the government is in a plan to implement Exam-on-Demand system in all the universities across the country. As per the exam-on-demand system, students at universities can take exams when they are ready for them. At present, NIOS and IGNOU conduct on-demand exams for some courses.
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The government is also exploring other exam reforms that can deviate the students from the rote-learning system. On the other hand, the use of technology in the examinations is also one of the suggestions made by the government to UGC.
The first meeting of the committee took place on June 14, 2018.