JnU abolishes MCQs from all exams

FT ONLINE

Jagannath University has decided to drop multiple choice questions or MCQs from admission tests and all other exams, starting next year.

The decision was taken in a syndicate meeting on Thursday, the university said in a statement on Friday.

Jagannath University is the first public university to take such decision following the government’s ban on MCQs from Primary Education Completion to HSC tests amid severe criticism over a spate of question leaks.

The decision is meant to improve the standards of examinations, according to Jagannath University.

At present, almost all the higher educational institutions of the country hold MCQ-based exams for admission seekers.

At Jagannath University, admission seekers were asked to answer 75 MCQs in an hour. Besides, teachers were allowed to hold midterm and class tests with MCQs.

The authorities of the university earlier detected many unpleasant incidents like question leaks during admission tests as examinees answered the questions by communicating with outsiders with the help of special devices.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Mizanur Rahman said, “If there are MCQs, there is scope for forgery. This is avoidable in written tests.”

The university also banned teachers’ notes, guidebooks and lecture sheets in an effort to ensure the quality of education.

Bangladesh introduced MCQs in 1991.