THIS is apropos the letter ‘Of NTS questions’ (Dec 3). I also appeared on the same date and found many irrelevant questions full of errors.

The National Testing Service (NTS) has been conducting different tests for the last several years which include admissions, scholarships, and recruitment.

The NTS conducts Graduate Assessment Test (general) and GAT (subject) after every quarter, especially for admission to MPhil and PhD programmes in various Pakistani universities. It is disheartening that NTS has not improved its test mechanism so far despite a huge number of complaints and in the era of competition where there are more testing services.

While applying online for the GAT, candidates pay Rs1,500 as fee and then bank receipt must be sent to NTS through courier which charges minimum Rs300.

The most lamentable pointy is that NTS has only one centre in Karachi for the candidates who wish to appear in GAT (subject). Only one centre is insufficient because a large number of candidates come from the far-flung areas of Sindh who have to spend money of accommodation and transport.

On the day of test, the NTS charges money for keeping cellphones and other items in their custody. It means NTS fleeces candidates at every step.

The NTS and authorities concerned should look into these issues so that candidates can appear in the tests without any stress.

Suhail Ahmed Shaikh

Larkana

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2018