Question

Q.1 Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (8)

1. The first written public examinations were introduced over 1400 years ago with

the establishment of the imperial examination system in 606 AD in China. By

the middle of the 19th century, competitive examinations had been introduced

in Britain and India to select government officials. Public examination in schools

have a shorter but still considerable history.

2. At present, the examination systems in India are characterised by

heterogeneity. They differ in their vintage, organisational design, financial

stability, autonomy, organisational culture and credibility. For instance, the

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is unique in conducting exams

through the distance mode; the Indian School Certificate Examination confines

itself only to private schools; and the West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education

is for Islamic educational institutions only. The Amrik Singh Report (1997) on

reorganising boards wondered, 'Can there also be a system whereby it becomes

possible to grade and categorise the boards in respect of how efficiently and

honestly examinations are organised?'

3. To do so, a set of parameters was chosen to measure effectiveness,

transparency and economic efficiency of the functioning of these organisations.

These parameters include indicators like cost incurred per student, fees

charged per student, number of examinees per employee and number of

affiliated schools per employee. The functioning of a total of 20 boards was

analysed in terms of 18 performance indicators in 2005. The data collected

from the states shows that most boards have an operating surplus. The CBSE,

along with the Maharashtra board, seem to fare the best.

4. Another important measure of effectiveness of the functioning of the boards is

the time taken for declaration of examination results. It was found that this

ranged from a mere 26 days in the case of Karnataka Secondary Education

Examination Board in 2005 to 48 days for class X in neighbouring Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court has recently issued directions that results should be

declared within 45 days from the end of examinations. In 2005,10 of the 20

boards, which provided this information, could not declare results within 45

days.
a) When were the first written public examinations introduced?

b) Mention two features of the examination system in our country.

c) What conclusion did the Amrik Singh Report bring forth?

d) Which boards seem to fare the best in terms of operating surplus?

e) Mention the directions issued by the Supreme Court.

f) Give one feature of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

g) The examinations are characterised by _________

h) West Bengal Board of Madarsa Education is for _________ institutions only.​

Answer 1

a) 1400 years ag0

b) Heterogeneity and Examination Mode

c) Can there also be a system whereby it becomes possible to grade and categorize the boards in respect of hoe efficiently and honest examination are organized.

d) CBSE and Maharashtra Board

e) results should be declared within 45 days of examination.

f) Examination through distant mode

g)heterogeneity

h)Islamic

Explanation:

a) Given in the 1st paragraph 1st line.

b) Given in the 2nd paragraph 1st  and 2nd line.

c) Given in the 2nd paragraph last line.

d) Given in the 3rd paragraph last line.

e) Given in 4th paragraph 2nd last line.

f) Given in 2nd paragraph 4th line.

g) Given in 2nd paragraph 1st line.

h) Given in 2nd paragraph 3rd line.