Rationalise entrance exams
Ensuring credibility a must
By J.P Garg

WHETHER we like it or not, we ought to accept the reality that entrance tests have come to stay. The demand for scrapping these tests altogether or for introducing an all-India educational testing service seems to be a far cry. It appears, the students will continue to be gruelled under the pressure of repeated tests being conducted by different examining bodies for admission to even the same type of course.

But this is only one side of the coin. The other side, the way these tests are conducted and the evaluation done, leaves much to be desired. There are instances where these tests have resulted in a chaos and a colossal wastage of time.

Whenever cases of bungling by examining bodies have gone to the courts, the results of these tests in most cases have been either completely struck down or revised drastically. Two years back, the Orissa High Court quashed the entrance test for admission to postgraduate medical course in the state.

An expert committee appointed by the court in response to a writ petition found that out of 102 questions set in the examination 41 were wrong! Many answers used for evaluating multiple choice questions were also incorrect. The court had no choice but to order a retest.

What happened in a university in our region sometime back is still fresh in public memory. Honourable judges from the High Court had to hold a Lok Adalat to point out glaring mistakes in the results announced by the university. Errors were also detected in the marking of questions.

These cases may present only a tip of the iceberg. Since question papers and the key to answers in these tests are kept a closely guarded secret and no scrutiny of answer books is allowed, lapses go unnoticed.

One is moved when one listens to the woes of students regarding favouritism or laxity at the time of invigilation, absence of set guidelines for setting of question papers, abrupt changes in the pattern and style of questions and questions being set out of topics or even chapters specified in the syllabus.

To make the entrance tests reliable so that these can objectively grade candidates of different levels of intelligence, the following suggestions need to be implemented in letter and spirit:

* The chapters/topics sub-topics in each subject should be clearly defined in the syllabus. Distribution of various types of question (like numerical problems, concept based, descriptive) should also be specified and strictly adhered to. The question paper should not fall like a bolt from the blue and conform to the model paper given in the information brochure.

* The best way to overcome the shortcomings listed above would be to get two question papers set from the same panel of experts. One of these should be published as model paper in the information booklet and the other be used as the actual test paper.

* Only persons who are fully conversant with the subject and are known for their profound competence should be appointed examiners. They should be from different institutions/universities.

* Detailed guidelines carrying fractional distribution of marks must be drawn before marking of subjective questions. Each question should be marked by one examiner or the same set of examiners (in case the number of answer books is large), who should put their heads together and decide the details of awarding marks before making commences.

* There should be rigorous checking and rechecking after evaluation to ensure that no question has been left unmarked and to eliminate any error in totalling of marks or posting of marks on award lists.

* Sometimes, computers play truant. A random manual checking of the already compiled results is a must.

* Examination in different subjects should be held on different days and the number of questions be increased to cover wider syllabus, with a view to eliminating the chance factor.

* Finally, a word about the UGC (NET) tests held twice a year for postgraduate students to be eligible for college/university lecturership and Junior Research fellowship. The questions in these tests are set from the most obscure areas, authors and topics generally uncovered by the syllabi of most Indian universities.

They seek to test the ignorance rather than the knowledge of the candidates. Is it fair to set questions from modern topics which are being taught only in one or two elite universities like JNU?

We may not be able to do away with the cumbersome entrance tests, but we can certainly lighten their burden and ensure greater justice, validity and credibility by rationalising each step in the conduct of these tests.

Controversy
Victim of school ‘lockout’
From Bijendra Ahlawat

ROHTAK: While the 'controversy' regarding the "forcible" closure of a government senior secondary school in Jhajjar district is still on its repercussions are becoming apparent. One of the teachers of the school has become a victim of severe depression due to harassment resulting from the controversy and has been hospitalised.

Students of the school are also at the receiving end due to the "lockout" imposed by some persons, including panchayat members, who have been demanding transfer of certain teachers.

According to reports, some residents of Mehrana village, including the sarpanch, "forced the closure of Government Senior Secondary School about a week ago after some residents alleged harassment of students, including girls, by certain teachers.

It was alleged that some teachers had been threatening students over minor issues and some among them had been carrying arms.

A team of district officials that visited the school reportedly 'failed' to pacify both sides. Sources close to the teachers claimed that some anti-social elements opposed to them had "created" this controversy to get them transferred.

Reports in a section of the Hindi vernacular press identified one of the teaches as Veersen Shastri who had been teaching Sanskrit in the school for the past 18 years.

He suffered a 'mental breakdown' due to one of the reports. While he has been admitted in a clinic here for treatment, his wife has blamed some residents of the village, including a teacher of the school, for getting the news item.

She has alleged that this has been done to 'defame' her husband and the family due to personal enmity. She has faxed a letter to the Chief Minister, the Education Minister and the Director, Secondary Education.

While the authorities concerned could not be contacted in this connection, the villagers have demanded intervention by senior officials to solve the issue and ensure functioning of the school again.

Deadline

All India Recruitment of Investigators, 2000 for NSS (161 posts)

Age: 20-28 Yrs. Bachelor’s degree with maths/stats/eco

Test: Nov 12 in 9 centres including Del; B’lore; Chandigarh

Elig, Details & Appln F: Employment News Jul 8-14.

Jul 24 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research (D/o Atomic Energy), 1-10-153-156, AMD Complex, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016.

Recruitment of Scientific Officer-C (Geology) (19 posts)

Elig: Indians with MSc/MTech in Geol/ApplGeol/Appl Geochem.

Details & Appln F: Employment News, 8-14 Jul.

Recruitment of Sr Non-Commissioned Officers in Education Instructor Trade

Elig: Unmarried males.

BA (Hons)/BSc. (Hons)/ or BA/BSc with Degree/Dip in teaching or BA/BSc with 1-yr teaching exp or hr academic qual.

Selection: Written test: Feb 2001 at Del, M’bai, Barrackpore & Secunderabad & interview.

Appln Format: Employment News 8 — 14 Jul.

BIT/BCom (3 yr)

MBE (2 yr), PG Dip in E-Com & Internet Appln (1 yr).

Elig: BIT: 10+2 with Maths/ Comp/Comm/Eco.

BCom: 10+2.

PG Courses: Bachelor’s degree.

Test: BIT: Jul 22. Others: Interview: Mon-Fri till Jul 22.

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD to the above address. Also at counter: Rs. 500/- cash.

Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)

for admission to undergrad courses at IITs at Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Mumbai and IT-BHU, Varanasi & ISM, Dhanbad.

Elig: 10+2 or 3-4 year Dip.

Appln Form: Contact: Chairman, JEE, at any IIT and some designated banks along with DD for Rs. 600/- (Rs. 300/- for SC/ST) from Jul 31 to Sept 8. Further info: Employment News & Rozgar Samachar July 22.

Jul 21 D/o Training & Technical Education, (G/o NCT of Delhi), Muni Maya Ram Marg, Prembari Pul, Pitampura, Delhi 110034.

Nomination to Engg Degree Courses outside Delhi.

Elig: 10+2 (80% agg in PCM). Does’nt apply to reserved category.

Appln F: Collect from Room No. 208, (2nd Fl) at above add for Rs. 10/- in cash.

• J & K State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) 2000

Subj: Chem Sc, Earth, Atmosph, Ocean & Planet Sc, Life Sc, Math Sc, Phy Sc, Human Geog, Electron Sc, Home Sc, Comp Appln, Hist, Pol Sc, Eco, Educn, Lib & info Sc, Sociol, Psycho, Islamic Studies, Philo, Comm, Mgt, Law, Mus, Eng, Urdu, Hind, Punj, Sansk, Dogri, Kashmiri, Persian & Arabic.

Elig: Indians with PG in subj

Test: Oct 15

Appln F: Send plain paper request mentioning subject along with Rs. 700/- by DD favouring "Member Secretary SLET, University of Jammu" payable at SBI (Code 0657) before Aug 11 or from counter by DD.

Further Info: Employment News 8-14 Jul.

E-mail: nmishipp@bom7.vsnl.net. in

• Shipping Management (2 yr) (F/T, P/T)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree with/without shipping exp or SSC with 3-yr shipping exp.

Appln F: Send Rs. 50/- by DD favouring "Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping", payable at Mumbai to the above address.

Aug 16 National Board of Examination (An autonomous body of the M/o Health & Family Welfare), MG Marg, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029.

Diplomate of National Board in:

(1) Broad Specialities

(2) Super Specialities

(3) Direct 5-yr Course after Internship

Elig: MBBS/Postgrad in any speciality from univs recognized by MCI are exempted from Primary Exam.

Exam: Primary & Final, Jan 13 & 14, 2001

Appln Form: Send Rs. 40 by DD favouring "National Board of Examinations" payable at New Delhi, along with stamped (Rs. 18) envelope (30 x 15 cms) superscribed "Appln for Diplomate of NBE (Primary/Final)" to the "Asst Registrar (Examinations)" at above address. Or from counter by DD.

Oct 4 BA/BCom (P) (3 yr)

Sep 4 MA (2 yr)

Eng; Eco; Hin; Hist; Pol Sc; Pub Admin; MCom, Sanskrit, MA/MSc Math

PGDPM & LW (1 yr)

Appln F: Send Rs. 40/- by crossed IPO/DD favouring "Director, ICDEOL, HP University, Shimla 171005" to the above address. At counter from: HP Univ Info Centre, Himachal Bhawan, 27, Sikandra Rd, New Delhi 110001.

PHD (F/T)

In D/o: Electronics & Commn; Comp; Instru & Control; Mfg Process & Automation; School of Appld Sc.

Elig: Master’s in Engg/Tech or Equiv in relevant area (70%).

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/- by DD favouring "Director, NSIT, New Delhi 110045" payable at SBI (Code No. 1706) along with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 30/-) envelope (25 x 20 cm) superscribed "Appln for admission to PhD Prog" to reach the Officer-in-Charge (Acad) before Jul 28. Also at counter against DD.

l Scholarships for MA/MSc in Math (Rs. 1200/- pm)

Elig: Motivated Bachelor’s degree -holders qualified to pursue MA/MSc in Math

Age: Below 22 yrs on Jan 1, 2K

Selection: Written test & interview.

Appln F: See Employment News & other national dailies.

l Scholarships for Diploma Courses in Polytechnics.

Elig: Students who have secured admission to Diploma in Govt. recogd Plytechnics. Preferred: Girl students & children from lower income group; disabled or def personnel.

Appln F: Send self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 6/-) envelope before Jul 30 to above address.

Also from: H. No. 77, Sector-8A, Chandigarh 160018.

l Scholarships for post-matric studies in Hindi (5)

for students of +2, BA, MA PhD with Hindi as an elect subj.

Elig: Domicile of UT Chandi, mother tongue not Hindi & passed the last exam in 2000 (60% agg).

Appln F: Collect from Directorate.

Nov 30 D/o Education, (G/o NCT of Delhi), Scholarship Branch, North Distt.Auditorium, Lucknow Rd, New Delhi 110054.

Merit Scholarship to SC/ST Students

Elig: college/professional Inst (60%).

Appln F: Available free from above address.

Jul 21 Govt. Central Crafts Institute for Women, D/o Tech Educn (UT) Chandigarh, Sector 11-C, Chandigarh

1. ITI Courses

Cutting & Tailoring, Embroid & Needle Wk, Leather Goods Maker, Dress Making, Stenography (Eng/Hindi/Punj).

2. CTI Course/ Intensive Trng

Tailoring & Embroid

Appln F: Send Rs. 50/- by MO favouring "Principal, Govt. Central Crafts Institute for Women, Chandigarh". Also at counter for Rs. 30/-, cash.

Unless otherwise specified, the dates mentioned above are deadlines for receipt of completed application forms.

Accommodation facilities at each educational institution vary a great deal. While some universities and colleges can offer rooms in halls of residence or student flats to 90% or more of their first-year students, others cannot provide accommodation for more than 20% of incoming students. However, all institutions will help you find a suitable privately-owned accommodation.

Some of the different types of private accommodation available are:

Hostels offer accommodation for both single and married students. Meals are usually provided although some have cooking facilities. To be on the safer side, apply for a room well in advance.

Lodging are rented rooms in private houses. Since the owner and his family will live in the house, you will have to adapt your lifestyle to fit in with theirs. Meals may be provided or you may be allowed to use the kitchen to cook your own meals.

Flats and houses are available on rent. A group of friends share the rent and other bills for a furnished flat or house situated near the college. Although this kind of accommodation can work out cheaper than the others, it may be difficult to find suitable houses.

As a commerce graduate you can take the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the UPSC. If you clear this exam, you will be eligible to join the Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy.

To join the Indian Police Service, you can appear in the Civil Services Examination. Besides IPS, there are other services too (Group A & B) in the Police and Defence (as civilian officers) cadre. You can also take the Sub-Inspectors (Delhi Police, CBI & Central Police Organisations) Exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). A desirable qualification for SIs in CPOs is possession of NCC ‘B’ or ‘C’ certificate.

You can also try appearing for the exams conducted by the M/o Home Affairs for recruitment of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Company Commander/Asst Commandant in CRPF/BSF/ITB (Indo-Tibetan Border) Police and for Asst. Central Intelligence Officer (General) Grade-II.

The eligibility for this exam is a graduation.

As for the Bank Probationary Officer’s Exam, the Written Examination in nationalised banks consists of a two-part test: Objective and Descriptive.

The Objective Test has four sections:

• Reasoning (75 questions, 80 marks)

• Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 60 marks)

• General Awareness (50 questions, 60 marks)

• English Language (50 questions, 50 marks).

There is negative marking.

The Descriptive Section (60 marks) is allotted a total time of 45 minutes. Of the four questions, you have to attempt three. This is only a qualifying test and marks secured in this section will not be added to your final tally. In order to prepare for this section, you will have to read one or two newspapers daily and General Knowledge magazines. Subscribing to a good competition magazine may be a good idea as also getting your basics in Maths (of the level of Class IX and X) clear.

After clearing the Written Examination, you will be called for an Interview.

Although some jobs where you have to adhere to strict deadlines are inherently stressful and anxiety creating i.e. advertising, marketing, media, treasury and stock brokering, air traffic control etc. A lot also depends on your attitude and temperament.

However, since you have a clinical problem it does make sense to avoid such jobs which are real time and mission critical. Of course, anything that you don’t enjoy doing can be equally stressful.

This does not mean that all these fields are denied to you. Each area of work has a front end and a back end i.e., in hotels you have the front office which deals with clients who are checking in and checking out, billing and handling irate customers. And then you have the back-office jobs like HR, Accounts, F & B, maintenance etc. which are equally important but relatively less stressful. Similarly, in an airline the job of an air traffic controller is certainly more stressful than other ground jobs. As a matter of fact, there are a whole lot of such back-office jobs like editing, accounts, planning, designing which you could happily opt for depending on your interests and aptitude.

The IT industry is looking for people who are focused, previously employed with a good company and are serious about their career. Today, IBM professionals, ERP and virtual reality experts are the most sought after professionals in this industry, in addition to people who can design and develop programs for the intranet and Internet. With the millennium bug closing in, professionals with Y2K (Year 2000) experience are being lapped up by the industry. So if you have experience in COBOL, CICS, etc., you are in great demand at the moment.

To increase their value, the IT professionals need to instantly upgrade their skills and be willing to venture into newer areas. The IT companies look for people who can grow beyond their respective roles. It is imperative for the job seeker to be a good resource manager.

The IT industry grades candidates into various categories:

(a) engineers with excellent communication skills;

(b) graduates with Master’s in Computer Applications, and

(c) graduates with a diploma in Computers.

Typically, the industry looks for a candidate with at least two years experience if s/he has post-graduate qualifications. In case of graduates, a minimum of five years experience is required.

For a successful career overseas, apart from technical skills, a good personality, a strong quality orientation and being a good team player are key prerequisites. The industry looks for people with a logical and analytical mind, with a genuine interest in computers.

DIARY

“Unschooling”

According to the National Home Education Research Institute in Salem, Oregon, the fastest-growing approach to home-schooling elementary education is called “unschooling.” It is also sometimes referred to as “deschooling,” “eclectic schooling,” “organic schooling” or “relaxed home schooling.” In this version of home-schooling, parents respond to children’s talents and interests in guiding their learning rather than imposing a conventional curriculum, according a New York Times report. Like charter schools, private schools and parochial schools, home-schooling responds to disenchantment with conventional public schools. The Institute estimates that 1.3 to 1.7 million, or about 3 per cent of all 53 million school-age children, attend school at home. The numbers of these children are growing 7-15 per cent a year.

Textbooks to go

Electronic books will replace traditional textbooks at several Florida schools, as technology comes to the classrooms courtesy of private enterprise. DigitalOwl, a Winter Park, Florida-based Internet software company, sponsors the trial, which will serve a limited number of students at Winter Park High School, Excel Alternatives and another school to be determined, according to a press note. The trial is scheduled to begin in August and will continue through December 2000, including a broad range of students from a variety of academic and socio-economic backgrounds. A DigitalOwl invester will provide the schools with 50-100 laptop computers and/or e-reader devices upon which DigitalOwl software and digital textbooks have been loaded. Students will be able to study with the digital textbooks at school and at home.

Parents’ score

Teachers in Chicago will send home a new type of report card next year that evaluates parenting skills. The “parent checklist” will not contain letter grades but will tell parents whether they are helping their children enough with homework or getting their children to school on time, reports AP. Parents with low marks could be referred to a parent training academy. The checklists would be issued every five weeks for all students. Items will include whether children are dressed properly for school, fall asleep in class, wear their glasses or attend class regularly. Some parents criticised the idea as a way to shift blame for poor student performance on to parents instead of teachers and school officials. — KSB