THIS refers to the letter ‘SPSC notification’ (June 11). To ensure fair competition among bright candidates of competitive examinations, authorities attempt to create a mechanism which filters out candidates who are either unworthy to be selected or non-serious.

The Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) did the same by announcing the screening test and negative marking through its recent notification. This practice will not only make sure that competitive students get the deserved attention from the examiner, it will also save the SPSC extra time and efforts on the copies of undeserving candidates.

The writer further claimed that a candidate’s ability cannot be judged through MCQ-based tests, disregarding the fact that these are the most widely conducted, thoroughly standardised and highly reliable tests in the world.

Top organisations and universities like Oxford and Harvard use subjective type papers in their entry tests to identify the best candidates.

Tests like GAT, GRE or SAT can only be passed through intelligence and ability as, unlike descriptive paper, one cannot cheat in MCQ-based tests in a strict environment. With the introduction of negative marking, the SPSC has already eliminated the possibility of getting through the screening by mere chance.

Instead of showing resistance, the candidates should prepare themselves for the cut-throat competition.

Qamarullah Roonjho

Hub

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2018