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Latest News |
| 24th
July 2010 / Times of India / Delhi Edition |
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HRD for mix-&-match plan for admission in UG courses
TESTING TIMES SOON?
New Delhi: A concept note on the National Testing System moved by the HRD ministry has proposed that instead of a single methodology there should be a mix-and-match strategy for admission in undergraduate courses with sufficient autonomy to institutions.
As per the note, a student must appear for both aptitude and subject tests. While the aptitude test would assess the ability of the student to analyse, comprehend, interpret, communicate and evaluate, the subject tests would be standardized so that there is uniformity across school boards and candidates get a level playing field. To deal with the stress factor, the note suggests that tests can be conducted at two levels — moderate and high.
A range of subjects in science, humanities and commerce have been listed in which tests will be conducted.
Even states can participate in these tests and conduct subject tests in social sciences and languages by tailoring them to suit the local context. A student can appear in a subject or a combination of subjects of his choice, depending on the institution in which the candidate is seeking admission. Tests can be based on multiple-choice questions as well as few short essay- type questions. The note has factored in affirmative action as well.
Those students, who come from disadvantaged sections of society, will get sufficient weightage for the educational background of their parents, family income and the nature of schools from which the candidates have passed their higher secondary examinations.
As mandated, under the proposed legislation on prohibition of unfair practices, every institution will have to declare its admission methodology in its prospectus.
The institution will also have the freedom to either opt for a state-administered or nationallyadministered examination in social sciences. The note also emphasises that though universities are entitled to have their own admission process, they can follow the proposed system as a standard reference while evaluating merit.
It proposes setting up of a National Testing Authority (NTA) through an Act of Parliament. The legislation will ask states to set up State Testing Agencies (STAs). STAs will not only conduct tests but also help NTA. NTA will have an executive body of whole-time appointees, who will report to a general council, that will have representation from all states as well as eminent persons.
Each district will have infrastructure for the testing authority. Initially, there will be computerised and paper-pen test, but eventually online facility will be followed.
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