3. Neet issue: Why India needs to re-imagine admission tests

Jun 16, 2024, 19:19 IST

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Challenges

The new government faces the immediate challenge of addressing the ongoing NEET controversy, which includes issues like inflated marks, allocation of grace marks, unusually high numbers of perfect scores, allegations of paper leaks, and calls for a retest.
This situation, causing stress for students, parents and authorities, reflects larger systemic issues seen in exams like CUET and JEE Mains, highlighting the need for better management due to their size and complexity.

The scale

Currently, India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is around 26%, with a goal to exceed 50% in the next decade, potentially doubling the number of candidates taking entrance exams.
This raises critical questions about the necessity and feasibility of single, large-scale exams and whether India can adopt better practices from other countries.

Burden

Relying solely on a single test score for government institution admissions pressures exams to accurately assess students' abilities, potentially stifling creativity and diversity while boosting the coaching industry, highlighting the need for redesigned exams prioritising flexibility, transparency, and accessibility.

Global models

The US model's multiple test dates throughout the year reduce stress by spreading the risk, while China's 'gaokao' emphasises highly secure and standardised administration, highlighting the importance of rigorous processes.
Combining elements from both models could help India create a robust and scalable exam system.

Structural changes

Granting constitutional status to the National Testing Agency (NTA) akin to the UPSC and involving leading academics and top institutions in exam management can bolster transparency and credibility.

Holistic admission policies.

Implementing admission policies, as practised by some private institutions in India and leading global universities, can diversify and enrich the student intake.

Reforms

Major reforms are essential to build a resilient and inclusive higher education system that nurtures talent.
Leveraging technology and adopting global best practices can internationalise exams like GATE and JEE Advanced, elevating India's status in the global education landscape. More here

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