THE federal cabinet has announced a mandatory screening test, based on multiple choice questions (MCQs), prior to the actual Central Superior Services (CSS) exams. The rationale behind the decision is to make checking of examination papers quicker and easier by eliminating non-serious students. I, however, disagree with the decision. Just by way of an example, an average student who remembers that the Jalianwala Bagh incident occurred in 1919 would score a point without knowing what it was, why it occurred and what its aftermaths were. On the other hand, a brilliant student who is cognizant of its history, but fails to remember the year it took place would lose out straightaway. Is that fair?

I have seen some bright students underperforming in tests based on MCQs, but outperforming just about everyone else in descriptive exams because they avoid taking shortcuts and rote-learning. The current policy has put the future of the nation at stake as the bureaucracy would be deprived of many worthy students who would fail to win the silly rat race of answering MCQs.

Also, being forced to prepare for two altogether different sets of exams at the same time, students will be thrown into a pit of confusion.

Moreover, candidates will run out of time and age limit as it takes them several attempts to crack the screening test. I hope the federal cabinet realises the repercussions of this decision and revisit it before it is too late.

Ashraf Shah
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021