Do college entrance exams test knowledge or computer skills?
The shift toward computer-based entrance examinations in India raises concerns about whether these tests measure academic merit or technical proficiency. The article argues that the digital divide creates an uneven playing field, potentially penalizing students who lack consistent access to digital interfaces.
Why it matters
As high-stakes testing moves online, systemic inequities in digital access can inadvertently compromise the fairness and validity of educational assessments, impacting millions of students' futures.
T he ongoing shift towards computer-based entrance examinations in India was meant to solve real problems. It promised faster evaluation, smoother logistics, standardised testing conditions and, above all, a more modern assessment system. In principle, these are worthwhile goals. Yet, an uncomfortable question now confronts us. When an examination is conducted only on a computer, is it testing subject knowledge alone or also a student’s familiarity with the machine?
This is not an argument against digital examinations. India cannot, and should not, retreat from technological progress. But advances in education must be judged not merely by administrative convenience but by whether it enlarges fairness. An entrance test is supposed to measure preparation in the subject and not inadvertently reward those who are more comfortable navigating screens, scrolling passages, switching between tabs, or managing a mouse under pressure.
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