Time for a Change

SSC DOES IT AGAIN:

As we all know that the most awaited public sector exam, The SSC-CGL was flagged off on 9th august Sunday.. But they were not without inconvenience and major bloopers forcing the debate about ‘whether to conduct these exams online or not ‘ to come outside the closed doors again!!

SO WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED??

Several candidates, who came to the Capital from across the country to appear for the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level Test, could not sit for the exam on August 9 due to shortage of question papers at various centers. The problem occurred as the SSC sent only a limited number of question papers to the centers, expecting only 70 per cent of the candidates to come for the exams. Several students coming from far off places like Rajashtan, Hisar etc were sent back on this account.

Can you believe that!!

Shortage of papers because of random and unreasonable assumptions made by the Exam conducting authorities, literally sabotaging the career prospects of several students who have been shedding their sweat, blood and tears for over an year in the hope that they would clear the exam!! Who is going to take the responsibility for this huge loss to students who were denied entry? Who will give them compensation for their entire year going in vain and for the emotional stress they had to go through? What is the guarantee that these things would not occur again next year? First come and first occupy the seats was not only illogical but also an absurd step taken by SSC. To further add to their miseries, many questions were found to be wrong and this led many students devoting more time just to get the right answers.

So why exactly this debate about offline vs. online exams and why are online exams considered a better substitute to offline exams?

Benefits of Online Exams:

1. Cost effective:

Substantial cost reduction in the expenses of conducting an exam: No printing or Distribution Expenses for question papers. No transport and logistics expenses while conducting exams across several geographically scattered locations.

2. Secured Exams:

Maintain confidentiality and avoid paper leaks. Change question papers at the last minute by pulling questions from the Question Banks. Randomize sequence of questions for each examinee. No data loss even in situation of power and internet failure

3. Expand your Scope:

Create multiple exams on multiple subjects for multiple courses. Create exams in multiple languages and overcome the language constraints. Conduct exams in several geographically scattered locations at the same time. Panel of Question Setters and Examiners can be independent of geographical location.

4. User Convenience:

Users can take exams as per their convenience .Exams can be configured for 24 x 7 availability.

Users can view the exam results immediately after the exam.

Option to display  the feedback for correct answers

5. Analysis:

Store data for comparison in subsequent years.

Customizable Reports to help you retrieve and analyze the desired statistic data.

6. Go Green:

You will be saving a substantial amount of paper by using online mode of exams. Prevent the use of paper and save the planet.

NO CHEATING!!!

But there are a few Disadvantages of On-line Examination as well, such as

1. It is easier for the SSC CGL student to manual calculate on hard copy, rather than seeing on monitor and solving it.

2. Many of the candidates don't have computer knowledge to handle the real time on-line exam.

3. The system will not be as transparent as it is now.

4. Good Infrastructure is required with proper functioning labs.

All said and done the benefits of online exams easily out do that of the offline exams. So it is high time for SSC-CGL authorities to re think about making SSC online.

Feel free to add some points of your own!