THIS is apropos the letter ‘GAT or PhD’ (May 25). In order to undertake research for higher academic programmes such as MPhil and PhD, candidates with 16 to 18 years of education are expected to have essential academic skills.

Therefore, before going for PhD, they are assessed on the following grounds: English language skills, numerical competency, and logical reasoning/critical thinking.

The above-mentioned skills cannot be mastered overnight from a book or two as these are acquired over the years through education and training in school, college and university.

The writer also gave reference of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) which prescribes books for top ranking examinations. The competitive examinations such as CSS are subject-based tests; hence there are many books which are recommended by the FPSC available for different subjects like economics, geography, commerce, etc.

However, GAT is totally different from tests conducted by FPSC. It is meant to ensure only those candidates go for the doctorate who possess requisite study skills including English, mathematics and logic. Perhaps the reason behind candidates’ non-success in GAT is not because NTS failed to prescribe books. The quality of education is a major impediment.

Qamarullah Roonjho

Lasbela

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2018