Merit-Trac exam process unlikely to be adopted soon

Trichy: Uniform answer scripts are prelude to the introduction of Merit-Trac, a modernised examination processes with computer-based tests, according to a set of academicians.

However, it is unlikely to be implemented soon, according to sources from the higher education department. A team from the Merit-Trac had visited Bharathidasan University for a presentation on the fully-computerised exam evaluation process.

It is one of its kind evaluation processes, which is popular in the western countries where the answer script is scanned, and the soft copies are evaluated through a computerised process. The system, which is being adopted by the Mumbai University, will mail the answer scripts to the candidates after evaluation within no time. The evaluation too will be streamlined leaving no room for lapses which would be exposed in no time.

The proposal has been rejected by the BDU citing that it is not feasible and the high cost of operations involved in it. “The cost per answer script till the stage of scanning would cost Rs 45 and the evaluation would further add up to the cost. Whereas, Rs 20 is the average cost of evaluating an answer script now,” said a source from the controller of examination department.

Vice-chancellor P Manisankar said that the process may not be feasible for BDU as it involves lot of process apart from being a costly affair. A senior official from the higher education department said that Merit-Trac may not be adopted anytime soon as the focus now is to standardise the evaluation process than going ahead with the advanced system.

Source