The Question Of "Question Papers"

The raging controversy about NEET-UG and similar examinations paper leaks and situations arising therefrom is indeed deeply distressing. We had VYAPAM scam earlier. Then there were also repeated issues with similar examinations in Rajasthan. There were complaints about leakage of question papers in other parts of the country too, in various recruitment examinations, from time to time.

Apart from leakage of question papers, there are frequent complaints of malpractices backed by covert and overt support from examination conducting authorities as well. In such cases, there was no question of question papers being leaked but complaints of assistance (?) given to students for letting them know the answers during the time of writing examination were there. Allowing mass copying and certain examination centres being much sought after by candidates from far away places for well known reasons have always been there. There have been many reports of doctors practicing for many years and some of them even earning "President Awards", but later found to be having fake degree certificates. Though the degree certificates were fake, awards were indeed genuine! These developments shake the confidence of the student community as well as the entire society.

Earning fantastic amounts through coaching centres with assured degree or job skills is a big industry in itself. There are coaching institutions that give coaching for unlimited period (meaning coaching till you get a job) for one time lump sum payment are well known in some centres. Governments come and go, but this system of organised cheating has continued for generations. Wholesale and organised malpractices are heard from time to time in recruitment to various jobs at different levels. The well-entrenched rackets fixing results of interviews for jobs supplements all these systems.

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What was the system of examinations we went through in our student days? It is indeed interesting to recollect how the systems have changed over the years and with each change how its abuse has reached new heights (one should actually say new lows).

When we were school going children in the early decades after independence was obtained by the country from foreign rule, the system of examinations was much different. In the primary school, covering the first four years of education, the examination was by oral question and answer system. There were no written examinations. In fact, we never used paper, pencil or pen in those first four years. Slate and chalk were only used. The teacher would ask some questions and obtain oral answers. Results would be told on the last day of the school before summer vacation. Things were very simple indeed.

In the middle school, covering the next three years (earlier it was four years, but then reduced to three years) there would be oral examination for 50% marks and written examination for 50% marks in most of the subjects. For the first time the student used paper and pencil or ink pen. Again results would be declared on the last working day before summer vacation. During the last year in this school a more strict examination would be held, usually at the taluk level, and the results would be made available after a month or so to provide time for valuation of written answer papers. 

In high school, during the 8th and 9th years, school level examination was conducted. Question papers were set at school level and valuation was done mostly by the respective teachers. There were no issues of leakage of question papers and so on. The question papers were written on cyclostyling paper by the teacher and copies made in the machine usually kept in the Head Master's room. Things were smooth here too.

The 10th year (third at high school) examination was a big one for the students. This was a qualifying examination for applying to many government and private jobs. This was one of the main reasons for importance given to this examination. It was a state level examination known as SSC (Secondary School Certificate) or SSLC, and Examination Superintendent and Deputy Superintendents were appointed separately. Examinations were usually conducted in bigger schools, mostly at the taluk level, and students from other village schools had to go there on examination days. Question papers printed at the state headquarters would arrive by Registered Parcel about a week before the start of the examinations. It was delivered to the joint custody of the two superintendents, After receiving the bundles of question papers, they were kept in the vault of the local bank and taken delivery on the previous day of examination. The bundles were opened half an hour before the examination. Instances of leakage of question papers were non existent.

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There used to be two examinations every year for the SSC/SSLC. A general examination, mostly at the end of March or early April, and a supplementary examination, in end of September. All the students studying in the school would write the March examination. Those who failed in the March examination could take the supplementary examination in September. What would happen if the student again failed? He could agin take the March examination and so on. Such students were jokingly called the MSM (March-September-March) company! 

What was the method of preparation for this examination? Some studied the entire syllabus, but those keen on securing a pass as well as those who wanted to score high marks and obtain a rank or distinction had a different method. The book shops would print and sell question papers of the earlier years. These student bought them or collected from earlier students and preserve those question papers. They would have a pile of 20 question papers covering the ten years. They would again and agin solve these question papers day after day. This was more so in respect of Mathematics paper. In a way, this would cover the entire syllabus as well!

Some of the teachers ran evening classes at home for weak students or MSM students. A few teachers did it pro bono (without fee), but mostly it was for a small fee. Then there were tutorial classes in the bigger towns which ran like regular schools. A student could take coaching in any subject he felt weak or failed. 

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Then there were University examinations for the degree and post-graduate students, if the students decided to study further after SSLC. The question papers were received from the university headquarters and held in the joint custody of two officials. The instances of question paper leaks were generally not heard of. 

For practical examinations in science subjects, there would be two examiners; one from the college where the students studied or examination was conducted and another from an external college from the same University. Systems were followed and there wee no complaints of leakage of questions or experiments suggested for the practical examinations. The students picked a rolled paper from a box suggesting the experiment he or she would be required to do. 

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When we were somewhere in the high school, the type of examination was slightly changed and they introduced a "New Type Question Paper". We were specially trained to answer these question papers. This is nothing but what is presently known as MCQ (multi-choice) question paper. This type of examination was made fun of initially because the answer was available in the question paper itself!

There is a well-known joke about MCQ. It involves the famous "KBC" hosted by the superstar Shri Amitabh Bachan. One contestant could not answer even one question and exhausted all the lifelines as well. Taking pity on him, Shri Bachan asked him to answer one simple question and he would get the full prize money. Time allowed was three minutes. The question was asked. "What is your name?", was the question. The contestant did not answer even after the hooter went out after the three minutes. When the host asked him why he did not answer, the contestant said "You have not given the four options. How can I answer?'". 

MCQ have reduced out evaluation system to such an absurd level.

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A high level enquiry is going on in the question paper leaks in the high profile examinations. One report received today says that the "Digital Clock" used to secure the question papers did not work and it had to be cut open!

One can only wonder what would be the outcomes of such probes, investigations and other follow up action. One of the states has come out with an ordinance with life imprisonment and fine up to Rupees One Crore for those guilty of leaking the papers. The prices interested students pay for getting the leaked papers is surely to go up steeply. Don't they?