By Nowsheena Mushtaq
In India, competitive exams such as the National Eligibility Test eligibility Test and State Eligibility Test State are considered the gates for aspiring researchers and professors. Assessment of one’s ability for lectureship and research-the basic purpose of these exams- often raises the glory of intelligence. However, this is far from the truth. Intelligence encompasses many facets and cannot be drilled down to only standardized testing patterns. Many brilliant minds who carry an ardent desire for research and innovation are prevented onto this path due to the rigidity imposed by these examinations, which prioritize rote learning and speed over genuine interest.
An intelligent student may show excellent analytical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. However, such qualities may not have much significance for performance in time-bound examinations that are totally memory-based. Many brilliant researchers down the ages, including Albert Einstein, never fared well in conventional academic assessments. In India, where research as a culture is meant to go beyond those confines by exploring new ideas, these tests act as sundry filters rather than facilitators; thereby dismissing candidates with potential for great contributions, simply because their talents are not in the area of conventional test-taking.
Besides, the straitjacket nature of these exams undermines any diversity in research. Most students spend years preparing for NET and SET rather than performing any worthwhile academic work. This is a sheer waste of their potential and, in turn, hampers research in India. Higher education ought to be conducive to curiosity and innovation, not a hindrance to those genuinely wanting to contribute. While some form of assessment is required, the present system does not take into account the practical aspects of research capability, independent thinking, and real intellectual profundity.
Yet another major flaw of these exams is that they do not assess a candidate’s ability to actually do research. Writing a research paper, conducting a set of experiments, and theorizing are all functions that require critical thinking and originality-things that are hardly ever tested in a multiple-choice format or theoretical papers. Therefore, several who clear these exams may not actually be the best researchers, leaving out many real gems who just do not fit into the neat little rigid examination mould.
Moreover, research entails an ability to question well-established knowledge, perseverance, and a good grasp of science. Hence, many students who intrinsically enjoy research lose their motivation after repeated failures in these competitive examinations, which do not assess their realistic abilities. The frustrations involved with clearing NET and SET compel many to take coaching classes, solve previous years’ papers, and cram rather than indulge in meaningful exploration of their subject.
The next burning concern relates to the socio-economic barrier set by these examinations. During such extreme conditions for preparation with the right environment and support system, lots of very brilliant aspirants belonging to very rural or underprivileged backgrounds have no access to expensive coaching institutes and study materials whereas their more fortunate counterparts do. Hence, the exams tend to favor those with financial access over others who show great raw intellectual potential.
The various facets of reforming India’s research ecosystem go beyond traditional exam-based methods. If we really want to foster bright minds to opt for research, we must have an evaluation system that values creativity, critical thinking, and research aptitude over rote memorization and performance in a single paper. A more rounded approach could happen through evaluating research proposals, taking interviews before a panel of experts, and giving weightage to a candidate’s published work rather than depending only on one examination.
Till then, intelligent students shall be held captive by a system that cannot decipher test scores from genuine potential. If India seeks to become a world power in research and innovations, it must realize that intelligence and creativity cannot be gauged by a single examination; rather, these attributes characterize a person’s lifelong passion for knowledge and discovery.
Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
- The author has completed her Masters in English literature and is currently an educator in Birla Open Minds International School Pampore. She can be reached at [email protected] for feedback
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