Mumbai University to use one software to assess answer sheets online

MUMBAI: After using software belonging to three different Edtech platforms for the online assessment of answer sheets in the summer exams, the Mumbai University has decided to stick to only one this semester. A Secunderabad-based firm, Magnetic Infotech, will be the only one to carry out on-screen assessment this semester.

In another measure to expedite the assessment process and announce all the results on time, the university has issued a directive on Friday, asking all colleges to keep the centralised assessment process (CAP) centres open from 7 am to 8 pm, including on weekends and on public holidays, to increase participation of teachers.
In the circular, the university reiterated its directive asking colleges to assess the answer sheets equivalent to 1.5 times their total students' strength. The exam department has also asked colleges to allow teachers to assess from different centres, if they are unable to reach their own CAP centre for some reason. Colleges have been asked to provide timely update to the lead colleges, it said.
After the last two exams, conducted post the pandemic, proved to be a disaster for several students, with delayed results and many kept on reserve, the university has been taking proactive measures to fix the glitches.
In the last semester exam, three softwares were used for the online assessment of papers. Teachers had alleged that the use of multiple softwares had added to the chaos, as there was a mix-up of papers - some commerce papers were scanned and uploaded in the software meant for arts and science, and vice-versa. The teacher added that a single software will bring down the confusion over this.
MeritTrac, which was the first company to be engaged by the university in 2017 for on-screen assessment, has been phased out and summer 2023 was the last exam when their services were used, said an official. He added that Magnetic Infotech was also part of the assessment process in summer this year and their software has a few additional features that could help in comfortable scanning. Answer sheets are scanned and uploaded on software and then are assessed by teachers online.