Bangalore University roots for multiple choice questions

In a bid to make online evaluation easier, Bangalore University (BU) has drafted a proposal to the board of studies and board of examiners to introduce more of multiple choice questions (MCQs).
“According to the Supreme Court, at least 40% of the questions should be in the essay format, so we have sent a proposal that will allow us to convert 60% of the questions into MCQs. This will be similar to the CAT examination pattern,” said Dr N Prabhu Dev, vice-chancellor, BU.
It is too early to say if the proposal will be accepted, warns Dev. “These things will take time. These are age-long systems that we are trying to change,” he said.
This move, however, will help the varsity speed up the process of digital evaluation. “We want to make digital evaluation fool-proof. Answer scripts will have to be digitalised, which will be done through scanning,” he added. The first step towards an MCQ format would be to set up the digital evaluation system, which Dev admits would take at least a year.
“There are a lot of things that need to be taken into account. Teachers should be trained. We have already set up training workshops. Access to computers is another problem. We have 152 colleges, which are in rural areas. We need to take such issues into consideration before devising a system,” he said. He added that, on an experimental basis, the BSc entrance exam this year featured the MCQs.
Dr TR Subramanya, registrar for evaluation, said that when it comes to the creation of the question bank, the details would be left to the discretion of the experts in the respective fields. “The experts on subjects like English will come up with the guidelines but this is something that has not been passed yet. When the resolution is passed, the guidelines will be put in place. The board of studies will recommend the pattern of the questions and later it will go to the board of examiners,” he said.