The traditional mode of entrance tests and examinations on paper is now slowly being replaced by the online Internet-based test system. There has been an increase in online tests in recent times due to expanding technology and educational assessments. But according to the students, online exams have both benefits and drawbacks.
A student Shubham Sharma said that Internet connectivity is a serious problem in online testing as an Internet connection sometimes crashes due to various reasons and this causes the student to lose work or submit incomplete test. He also said that it is not necessary for every student to be habituated to using computers and this can create problem for those who are unable to operate computer systems efficiently.
Another student, Saumya Dobhal said that online examinations are easier than the written exams as examinees don’t need any paper and pen to appear for it. Online exams also save time as students can answer their questions with only one click. However, she opined that online exams can be problematic for the students who are not used to computers and those who have eyesight problems.
Vidhi, another youth, said that network connectivity is usually a big problem which leads to wastage of time in the duration of the exam. She also said that use of technology is not always beneficial and every student is not able to operate computer systems. She also said, “We are familiar with pen and paper exam as we have been using them since our school days where all our exams were on paper. It is easy and fast to read on paper than on the computer screen,” she said.
Another student Vibha Pundir said that online exams are much better as chances of the question paper being leaked are less. For multiple question patterns, online is much better. “It is difficult to rewrite on an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet during the written test but it’s easy to select a different option in an online method. In online examinations, candidates should manage time properly as time management is the basic necessity for every competitive examination,” she added.
A student Rakhi Sharma said, “I like to appear in competitive exams offline as competitive exams are far more serious in nature. Online methods are stressful and do not give enough time to a candidate to sit and think and then attempt a question. Online method is only beneficial for the students who are familiar with computers,” she added.