A SWOT analysis of the new pattern of examinations of the Kerala University of Health Sciences
Kerala University of Health science has started in the year 2010 and has started affiliation in all health science courses under the faculty of Medicine, Dental science, Ayurveda & Siddha, Homoeopathy, Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied health sciences. Currently 260 colleges – 30 medical institution, 24 dental colleges, 16 Ayurveda colleges, 1 siddha colleges, 5 homoeopathy medical college, 33 pharmacy colleges, 115 nursing colleges, and 36 allied health science colleges are affiliated to Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur.
KUHS has initiated a many evaluation reforms in the conduct of examinations to make the system more reliable, valid and prompt. Currently KUHS has conducting more than 200 examinations in an year for more than 2000 papers in different health science streams. KUHS strongly believe that a nead based curriculum and prompt evaluation system will improve the quality of health science education.
Controller of Examinations
Dr P K Sudhir BHMS, MD(Hom)
Mob: 09447749360
Authors : P.K. SUDHIR, PRAVEENLAL KUTTICHIRA, K. HARILAL, K. MOHANDAS
Learning is often assessment driven and teachers often use it to as a tool for student learning. The validity of assessment can be influenced negatively by construct irrelevant variance such as leaked question papers (QPs), equipment failure, etc.
The conduct of secure examinations is a challenge for universities, especially the blocking of unwarranted means of communication in examination halls. The Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) took several steps to make the examinations secure. A SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis was done for these processes.
The New Examination Process
All students are given numbered and bar-coded photo identity cards after registration to a course. An examination calendar is published at the start of the academic year and examinations are notified 45 days in advance. After verifying the eligibility, an admit card is generated for each student and sent to the principal of the college electronically who issues signed copies.
Panels of national-level QP setters are given the syllabus, guidelines and the model QP. The QPs in compact discs (CDs) with a broad answer key are scrutinized by subject experts and deposited in a secure QP bank. During every examination, new QPs are added.
On the day of the examination, the QPs are loaded to a computer that randomly selects the QP for that day’s examination and uploads to a website 45 minutes before the start of the examination. The website is accessible from the colleges from then onwards through a secure login, but the QP remains inaccessible.
A university observer from another college and of a different discipline arrives at the centre 45 minutes before the examination. The observer monitors the proceedings up to the despatch of answer bundles from the colleges. The examination halls are also under surveillance of a closed circuit television (CCTV) system.
The candidates are permitted to enter the halls 45 minutes before the examination. Candidates who do not report at least 30 minutes before the examination are denied entry. Retrieval of QPs at the examination centre is permitted only after this cut-off time.
Thirty minutes before the examination, another password is sent to all the examination centres to access the QP. At every centre, a printout of the QP is taken and photocopied. At the university too, a QP is downloaded and this is then erased from the QP bank.
Conclusion
The KUHS has made several improvements in the conduct of secure examinations. A SWOT analysis identified strengths and weaknesses, both internal and external. We believe that the reforms done by the KUHS are a major step towards the conduct of secure university examinations in India.
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