Deebashree Mohanty speaks with fiona collins from Pearson VUE about the growing demand for computer-based testing in India
Tell us about the Computer Based Testing (CBT) market in IndiaIJ
The CBT market in India is growing by leaps and bounds. It was seen as a trend sometime back but now people have started treating these tests as a necessity. A large group is already into this system and they are happy with the outcome. MCI, DGCA, CBSE and many other players are planning a move towards CBT. We have also found that many universities and organisations are planning to adopt this way of testing but they need to come up with the appropriate strategy for making that happen.
What is Pearson Vue’s strategy in this contextIJ
We are doing a lot of things to ensure that people get the right message about CBT in India. At Pearson we have multiple strategies at play in India. After the initial meeting with the universities, we develop our strategies taking account of their needs.
Also, thanks to the support that we are getting from Government agencies, the number of admissions tests are consolidating, which is for the better of the students and parents alike. For the corporates, we have to talk to the potential customers who value the type of services we offer. We have national reach through more than 300 test centres.
We use the latest technology in maintaining security, and in test design, test measurement and credential management. Another thing that differentiates us from our peers is the the process of tracking a person’s scores from the moment he leaves the school throughout his/her professional development. This technology has got us a lot of positive comments from corporates as well as other Government agencies.
Pearson VUE is hosting a webinar about advanced methods of tackling exam fraud in India on April 24 and all the information is listed on our website — www.pearsonvueindia.com/webinar. It is initiatives such as this that sets us apart
What are the challenges you are facing with this method of testingIJ
I don’t see them as roadblocks. There are challenges and opportunities in equal measure. But there are issues that we are dealing with. For one, we lack the infrastructure to cater to India’s population. Then we need to impress upon the idea with many organisations which can be a tad difficult sometimes.
There are also certain budgetary concerns that we are addressing. If you look at CBT, it might seem more expensive than paper and pencil initially. But in the long run the system pays for itself through improved security.
What is Pearson’s focus areaIJ
Our focus is diversified. At the initial level, we are keen to help in the admission process. We also intend to improve the quality through a system of better security and identity management. At Pearson’s we are keen to help universities deliver tests over extended periods of time.
Your forecast for the CBT market in 2015IJ
We can only make a prediction going by the current trend. By 2015 more than 50 percent of the admission tests in the country will be computer-based. At present we are already witnessing a significant move towards event based testing rather than single day sitting.By 2015, most organisations will have to think about finding better ways to conduct tests without compromising on the security. Thus CBT will be an option.
Who are benefitting from this CBTIJ
If you take admission tests alone, tens of a millions of students are taking tests each year. There are private firms which conduct internal tests based on this. Government departments are also contemplating on CBT.