National Testing Agency Driving Major Change To Competitive Exams Including NET And NEET

The newly-established National Testing Agency (NTA) is driving a major revamp in the country’s competitive exams system from next year, relying heavily on technological tools like artificial intelligence, psychometric analysis and computer-based adaptive testing, reports The Times Of India.

The agency, which is expected to test around 1.5 crore candidates annually, will conduct its first exam in December this year – the University Grants Commission's National Eligibility Test.

According to the report, other competitive exams such as Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) are also set for a major overhaul from next year. The changes include having a unique set of questions for each candidate, with a software picking questions at random, and multiple dates for taking an exam.

NTA officials said the tests will be designed in a way that rote learning and intensive coaching are not of much help to candidates unless she is thorough with the syllabus. "The tests will be 100 per cent safe. The highest level of encryption will be used so that no one can hack into the system," NTA director general Vineet Joshi was quoted as saying in the report.

Sources said these computer-based tests will have several advantages, where candidates will be able to revisit questions later or keep some for review once the easier ones are done. In case the exam date doesn't suit a candidate, she will be free to choose another date. If a candidate is unhappy with her score, she can take the exam again after three months, said the report.

A Human Resource Development Ministry official said that it is going to be completely driven by technology. "Artificial intelligence tools will be used to setting the questions and preparing the key for the correct answers. This will increase the capacity of NTA to do the things faster," said the source.