ICT-Driven Examination Reform: A Definitive Approach to Implementation CBCS Assessment Framework in India

Abstract

Assessment is a crucial tool to evaluate the extent of knowledge acquisition and intellectual capability of a student for a specific course or program. The current research emphasizes a comparative analysis of the yearly examination method and semester examination system within the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) framework. The research also highlights significant challenges encountered in conducting examinations, such as data handling for pre-examination tasks like preparing eligible students’ information, managing exam centers, ensuring accurate question statistics, evaluating answer sheets, processing marks, and maintaining grade reports, all requiring manual intervention. The final solution involves creating a specialized examination management system through the incorporation of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to convert the conventional education system into the Outcome Based Education (OBE) system by reforming the examination process. Over the past thirty years, the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly transformed the methods and processes of almost all activities in business, governance, and various aspects of our lives. This occurred because of the significant advancement in computer and communication technologies and the widespread use of computational devices for managing large data and information across various workplaces. Moreover, there have been substantial and economical advancements in internet technologies along with a dramatic rise in internet users. As a result, it has enabled a robust network of interconnected devices, providing access to shared resources for efficient information exchange at high speeds with excellent reliability. Over the past ten years, ICT has completely transformed societal lifestyles and has rendered many manual systems obsolete in nearly every workplace.  Due to the various benefits of ICT, it can be utilized in any system that needs to manage, process, and transmit large amounts of data from sources to end users. A university assessment system that includes extensive records of students, instructors, examiners, moderators, disciplines, programs, and associated colleges. Additionally, it encompasses various procedures concerning these records, from completing examination forms to announcing results, which were executed manually prior to the advent of ICT. The current study emphasizes reforms attainable in the existing examination system through the integration of ICT.