The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) some time ago introduced “on demand” examination that allows students to take exams on a day of their convenience by registering online or at the regional centre, provided they have fulfilled the academic criteria for the term. The hall ticket generated after the registration specifies the time and venue of the examination. Since the entire process is computerised, increasing efficiency, the results are announced within two weeks.
The Hindu EducationPlus spoke to a cross-section of college students in Bangalore to find out whether they like this system.
Suprita Venkatesh (third year BBM, Surana College): I would definitely love to have “on demand” exams, but I think my ‘on demand' will be after the usual six months. As it is, the semester system allows us only about 60 to 70 working days. This sem., it's just 55, and most of what we do in college is limited to theory. So, if I had this option available, I would certainly like to make use of it to take my exams at the end of eight months rather than six.
Ayesha Zeba (second year B.Com., NMKRV College for Women): If every college adopts it, it will boost students' confidence as even if they are not able to make it through in any subject, they won't have to wait for another year to attempt the paper again. This confidence in turn will help improve the overall performance. Moreover, if you are unable to appear for a particular exam in the final year for any reason, you can still face interviews without feeling embarrassed because you can take and clear the exam in almost no time.
Pratima Vasudev (second year B.A., Vijaya College): I feel that the system of “on demand” examination can be very chaotic. The manner in which the students take exams can begin to seem randomised, especially in my college, because there are so many students here. It might become a tedious and even a tricky task to cater to each student's demands.
However, since we don't have supplementary exams at the degree level, this would be a good option instead. Even this, I feel, should be on one fixed day for all students.
Abhijith S., (third year BBM, Surana College): I am all for it because now I feel that we have a lot of extra time on hand, and this will ensure that students with clarity and focus do not waste it. ‘On demand” exam would be really useful if our results also come out within a span of two weeks just like the IGNOU ‘on demand' exams. Then, it will actually save us the trouble of having to apply for photocopies and revaluation (processes that take ages). If we are dissatisfied with our marks, we can simply take the exam again without much ado.
Priya Naik (second year B.Com., NMKRV College for Women): IGNOU has probably provided this option to cater to people who work. Students like us really don't need it. I feel that excessive flexibility will make it more difficult for us to conform to social norms later on; we may just keep expecting a second chance every time something goes wrong.
If they have the required infrastructure, colleges could provide this facility for students who really need it, based on their previous academic performance.
Kalpana Paulraj (second year B.A., Kristu Jayanthi College): It's good to be able to take your exam whenever you want though I don't know whether I'll choose the option. We ourselves should decide when we really feel it's necessary to take exams before or after the scheduled ones. It's our responsibility to ensure that we don't disrupt the systemic functioning of the college/university.
Rahul Dayama (second year B.A., Vijaya College): The Indian education system is very rigid. Such ‘on demand' exams will provide a basic sense of flexibility. Students must have the right and privilege to choose when they want to take their exams and also whether they want to write all the papers together or split them up. This will probably be the best way to cater to the varying capabilities of each individual in a perfectly fair manner. Right now, most students are so used to the present system that they can't imagine it otherwise.
So, I feel that the university should offer the ‘on demand' exam on an experimental basis for a year, and see how students respond to it.
