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dna impact: Day after expose, Mumbai University initiates probe into BMS fiasco

The dean and the controller of examination have started a probe into the 'mass failure' of BMS students in one paper reportedly due to the wrong model-answers supplied to examiners.

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A day after dna reported that a University of Mumbai blooper had lead to 'mass failure' in one paper of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), the varsity has initiated a probe into the case. Over 50 per cent of the 12,000 candidates of the fifth semester failed in the financial management paper conducted last November.

Padma Deshmukh, the controller of examination, and Madhu Nair, dean, faculty of commerce, have been entrusted with the task to finding out the 'exact cause' and 'number of failures' in the financial management paper of BMS (fifth semester), the results of which were declared in January end. They have been asked to finish the job "as early as possible".

"The dean is looking into the two sets of model-answers to ascertain whether the difference is big enough to cause such a large number of failures. We will also look into the marks of the failed students to verify the 'mass failure' claim, said Deshmukh, promising to conclude the probe "soon".

Incidentally, the sixth semester BMS exams are slated for April and the students who have failed (their fifth) will have appear for the repeater exams too.

Asked whether she would order a recheck of the papers of all the 12,000 students if it was found that the university was at fault, instead of individual revaluation, she said, "We will take a call once the fault is established."

Asked whether the fault lay with the paper-setter, Deshmukh said the person who had set the paper and also provided the model-answers, was qualified enough to do the job.

In its February 23 edition, dna reported that 90% of the BMS students had flunked in one paper as the university sent the wrong model-answers to all the examiners. A centre head had told dna: "Model answers for the 60-mark paper were riddled with error. While the marking pattern for the 15-mark question was absent, the patterns of another 30 were ambiguous, leading to a lot of confusion among the examiners and hence the 90% failure."

After being informed about the "wrong" model-answers, the varsity issued a corrected version. However, by the time a majority of the 20-odd centres had completed assessment. "Very few took the time to re-check the papers as per the new model-answers," said a professor.

Why should we pay for revaluation if it's varsity's fault?
As per the university's advice the aggrieved students have applied for revaluation, however, they now feel cheated. "It is now clear that it's the Mumbai University's fault. Why should we then pay Rs 550 for the revaluation? All answer-sheets should be sent for rechecking to rectify errors," said a BMS student.

We will refund the fee, if it's our fault: Controller
Asked why the students should pay for the revaluation if it was found that the mistake for the 'mass failure' was on the part of the university, controller of exam Padma Deshmukh said: "We will refund the revaluation fee if the analysis reveals that it's our fault."

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