The Kerala Public Service Commission may change the pattern of the graduate-level recruitment tests and those for appointments to teaching posts. Descriptive tests are being planned for them in line with the Kerala Administrative Service examination. With such a change, job aspirants applying for these public examinations need to have in–depth knowledge about the subject and train well to write the answers within the stipulated time.
The test for appointment to teaching posts would evaluate the teaching skills of the candidates.
Currently, it takes years of practice and experience for the candidates who get appointment to mould themselves in a way which benefits the respective service. Those who studied General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Science and Maths may not have the basic ideas that are related to their post. Some people are unable to learn new things even years after joining the service.
The authorities hope that the change in the test pattern would improve the overall quality of the service. It is assumed that the new method would help in finding skilled candidates who suit the particular posts.
Aspirants should modify preparation
With the proposed changes candidates should change their method of studying. Around 60 to 70% syllabus for all PSC recruitment tests is similar. So, it was easier to write the exam for a post even if the candidate trains for another post. Besides, the candidates could train for the Staff Selection Commission exam and the PSC exams together. However, this would change now as the subjects would change as per the requirements and nature of the post.
The descriptive exams aren’t as easy as darkening the bubbles on an OMR sheet. Now, the candidates need to have in–depth knowledge about the subjects. Moreover, they need to train vigorously to improve their writing skills.
But, it must be noted that the answers shouldn’t be needlessly lengthy. All the main points should be written within the stipulated time.
Practical difficulties
The number of candidates who aim to land government jobs are going up each year. So, many are sceptical about the feasibility of introducing descriptive exams. Last year too, it was announced that descriptive exams would be introduced for the graduate-level exams. However, it didn’t happen.
Even though descriptive exams were conducted for some posts earlier, the matter landed in a legal soup after the results were announced. These practical difficulties still exist.
PSC plans to conduct a preliminary test with of multiple choice questions followed by a descriptive round. The candidates who score the cut-off marks in the objective round would be selected to write the descriptive round. The Commission assumes that evaluation wouldn’t be a hassle if the exam is conducted this way.
The onscreen marking scheme where the scanned answer sheets could be seen on computer screens would be adopted.