While the Indian government may be considering conducting the NEET UG exams through a computer-based test (CBT) mode or online mode from the next session, experts suggest it could be a good move to curb the instances of paper leaks and cheating in such competitive exams.
The NEET UG exams conducted by the National testing agency (NTA) this year and subsequent evidence of malpractices, paper leaks, cheating and impersonation cases which have come to light in the latest CBI investigation and have caused the issue to become the central issue in the Indian parliament affecting the future of 24 lakh students in India who sat for these exams.
The possibility of conducting NEET UG medical exams in India through a computer-based testing mode has been a topic of discussion to tackle issues related to paper leaks and cheating. This move, if implemented, may bring about several positives as well as face challenges in the Indian context. The NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate) is a highly competitive exam conducted in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical (MBBS) and dental (BDS) courses. The exam is being conducted offline (pen and paper-based) mode since 2017 since the union health ministry did not agree to suggestions that it should be conducted online.
Now, because of the present fracas of paper leak nexus in NEET exams nationwide, the NTA has decided to conduct a few postponed exams in the online mode. The joint CSIR UGC NET will be conducted on 25-27 July. This exam was postponed after the NEET controversy. While the postponed UGC- NET will be held between August 21 to Sept 8 now. These exams are going to be conducted in the computer-based test mode as opposed to the pen and paper mode done earlier. Also, the NCET will be held on 10 July 2024, again conducted by NTA.
The government has been conducting both the JEE Mains and JEE advanced for admissions into IITs and engineering colleges in online mode. Underlining the union health ministry’s apprehensions that this would not provide a level playing field for many aspirants coming from rural and less privileged backgrounds, the decision was kept in abeyance in 2019, after which the world saw several years of COVID-19 virus disrupt many exams. However, experts say if JEE can be conducted and a fairly large number of students sit for these competitive exams, NEET being done in online mode can be a litmus test.
JEE is conducted in two parts: JEE Main is conducted by NTA, while JEE Advanced is conducted by IITs themselves. This year it was hosted by IIT Madras. While 8.2 lakh students sat for JEE Mains, 1.8 lakh gave JEE Advance.
Experts at the coaching federation of India have also given suggestions.
“The NEET exam pattern should be changed from one a year, to twice a year, similar to the JEE exams. Switching the NEET exams to an online based mode or CBT format, which will help reduce the involvement of lots of people in the exam conducting process. Like in the JEE exams, the people or faculty responsible also change every year,” said the CFI members in a press conference held virtually on Saturday. But this would require upgrading the online infrastructure in a big way, which would be a bigger challenge.
Here we list out the positives and challenges of moving the NEET exam into CBT mode:
POSITIVES OF THE CBT
-
Enhanced security: Moving the NEET UG exams to a computer-based test mode could significantly reduce the likelihood of paper leaks and cheating. Digital question papers can be encrypted and accessed only at the time of the exam, enhancing overall security.
-
Instant results: Computer-based tests can provide instantaneous results for candidates, eliminating the need for lengthy result compilation processes. This would streamline the evaluation process and provide timely feedback to students.
-
Adaptive testing: Computer-based exams can adapt the difficulty level of questions based on a student’s responses. This can ensure a more accurate assessment of the candidate’s knowledge and abilities.
CHALLENGES
-
Infrastructure constraints: One of the significant challenges in implementing computer-based NEET UG exams in India is the vast digital divide and inadequate infrastructure in many regions. Ensuring reliable power supply, internet connectivity, and availability of computer systems for all candidates can be a hurdle.
-
Normalisation of marks: There will need to be multiple versions of the exam paper when done in an online mode and hence the need for normalisation of marks would arise. Moreover, the exam also needs to be conducted in multiple shifts over a number of days, which will warrant multiple sets of papers and hence normalisation of marks to ensure a level playing field according to the difficulty level of each question paper.
-
Training and familiarity: Many students, especially from rural backgrounds, may not have prior exposure to computer-based tests. Training them to navigate through the exam interface effectively and ensuring fairness in assessment could pose challenges.
-
Security concerns: While computer-based exams can enhance security, they also open up new avenues for sophisticated cheating techniques, such as hacking or impersonation. Ensuring foolproof security measures becomes crucial in this scenario.
-
Cost implications: Setting up the infrastructure for computer-based testing and maintaining it can be a costly affair. This could potentially increase the financial burden on exam conducting bodies or candidates themselves.
Since there are multiple ministries and departments involved in conducting exams such as NEET, such as the health ministry, the education ministry, the NTA and the National board of exams (NBE) under the union health ministry, in this case the final decision rests with the National Medical Commission.
Source Agencies
