IIT Bhubaneswar’s New Online Exam System Overcomes Present Anomalies

Bhubaneswar: IIT Bhubaneswar has created a state of the art method of holding online examinations to cap the loopholes in present systems.

The IIT method can be used for holding all types of examinations including the Class tests and end-semester examination of any institute. It will overcome the limitations of holding only computer based tests, lacking the robustness, reliability of invigilation and connection faced by the commercially available online examination systems.

According to Prof. RV Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, the proposed online examination system is robust and can be used for holding tests of wide ranging nature from simple computer based tests to detailed conventional examinations. The system uses a virtual examination hall, actual invigilators, question paper distribution on-line, and submission/reception of soft copies of answer books which may be printed.
The system uses two or more network connection for reliability of connection and
additional facility for proctoring for reliable invigilation. Unlike in systems where a
student has to come to an examination centre equipped with computers, in the proposed
system, a student can take the examination from home or anywhere across the globe.
However, for availing this advantage, a student is required to be equipped with gadgets which is feasible.
“The institute successfully tested the entire system by holding a mock test on May 9
involving about 240 students across the country, question papers of 31 subjects and 20 invigilators. It was found that the tests can be held successfully and effectively as long a student has at least one of the two connections working at any time during the examination,” Prof Kumar said.

This method uses the currently available commercial systems such as the ‘Wheebox’ as a part of it.