How relevant are entrance exams?

Are entrance exams the right way to measure effectiveness, or is there a way to re-evaluate how students ought to be screened?

Kanishka Sharma, I, B.A.(H) History, Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University

By introducing entrance exams and not enrolling people to major positions holistically, we have been able to control the problem of nepotism in educational institutions, to a major extent. To screen candidates from a population of 1.3 billion is a herculean task, and entrance exams help in selecting people for elite jobs and universities. To overhaul the current system, it should consist of more segregation to give a platform for the growing population to compete.

Jatin Maheshwari, III, B.Com (H), SGBT Khalsa College, North Campus, Delhi University

Measuring the effectiveness of an applicant through competitive exams is not an issue, but giving them a majority weighage (min. 80%) is the real concern. Merely conducting personal interviews and group discussions is not enough, especially with 15% share. Better techniques must be introduced to analyse an applicant’s effectiveness. So, while competitive exams are necessary, their proportion in the overall student analysis should be reduced.

Utkarsh Kumar, I, master’s in development studies, IIT, Guhawati

The overhaul in the screening process is required due to the changing facets of education and competitiveness. Past experiences show that we are more concerned with the knowledge, but to serve the purposes of these exams, a synthesis of aptitude, attitude, and critical mental framework is required.

Further, some new changes should be introduced in the exam patterns like UPSC such as increasing the weightage of disaster management and setting a level playing ground for the optional part. Also, the assessment process should be modified in a multidimensional manner.

Shiva Maheshwari, IV, Mechanical and Automation Engineering, North Indian Engineering College, Delhi

Exams such as CAT and GATE are measure to judge students’ effectiveness. Cracking these exams is not a piece of cake, as they require discipline and patience, and hard work is the pre-requisite. So, they are not just exams but a journey where we get a chance to analyse our abilities. Also, if someone is not able to crack these exams, it does not mean he/she is incapable, as students often associate these entrances with success in life.