• ECCE
  • School Edu
  • Higher Edu
  • Edu Tech
  • Skills
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Login
[t4b-ticker]
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk
No Result
View All Result
Education21
Home Perspective

National Testing Service—an idea whose time has come

By Dr. Prachi Gharpure – Director, SVKM’s NMIMS Indore

education by education
April 15, 2021
in Perspective
0
National Testing Service—an idea whose time has come
0
SHARES
152
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Dr. Prachi Gharpure – Director, SVKM’s NMIMS Indore

Established by the Centre of Testing & Evaluation, the National Testing Service (NTS) is a step towards introducing a centrally-monitored mechanism for quality control. It aims to create benchmarks for academic standards that must be met at every level in educational institutions.

The concept of a centralised and standardised testing body is novel for India. Along with an accreditation process, NTS should further strengthen our higher educational institutions in line with the objective of increasing employability as entailed in the National Educational Policy 2020. But the question arises, with well-established universities and accreditations by national bodies, is there a need for a National Testing Service?

The answer lies in our uneven standards of higher education. The sheer number of colleges without accreditations or those not eligible for accreditations, means that there are too many institutions that are operating outside of any standardised parameters. Many of these colleges have been operating for a fairly long time, and there is no minimum level of assurance in terms of the quality of education. As a result, the graduates of such institutions cannot rely on their degrees alone. Some students may do well by the dint of their personal capability, but the degree, which should be representative of a certain level of competence, holds no such distinction. The majority of the students are, hence, underskilled. With such an exam, institutions will ensure that their students pass that minimum level of eligibility.

A common testing service will require a model curriculum. As this is still in the proposal stage, the details are still to be informed, however, it must be acceptable and operational at a national level. The NTS  is unlikely to be on the lines of a common entrance test where thousands of students take an exam on a set date. The expectation is that these tests will be voluntary in nature and that a student can take them whenever required. While it may not be necessary for students of premier institutions, it can help students from lesser-known schools in establishing their skill levels.

It envisages 60 Regional Field Units across 30 regions of the country. To ensure compatibility and standardisation, the NTS will be based on a concept-based continuum of graded syllabi. The tests will also distinguish between aptitude, achievement, and proficiency.

 

The challenge here will be to maintain the same level of evaluation throughout. Schedulable tests, like GRE, are based on a creditable database of questions and test designs. In other words, a reliable and exemplary test populated by relevant questions. The NTS test must have a similar level of grading and design.

Once established, NTS will help in restructuring certification or qualification tests to ensure a minimum level of eligibility. It can help students to gauge their potential at both national and regional levels and provide employers with a comparable scale. It provides a scientific basis to recognise or grade colleges and universities, and may eventually influence the quantum of financial support they can receive from bodies like the University Grants Commission.

The establishment of the NTS is welcome news and will help in improving the overall quality of higher education, establishing a nationally-recognised benchmark for different skill levels. All colleges and schools must encourage their students to appear for the test in order to ensure wide recognition and a high level of participation.

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed
Previous Post

DPS International School, Gurugram, emerge as the overall winners of ‘Tech for Good Challenge’

Next Post

CBSE cancels class X exam, postpones class XII due to worsening pandemic situation, other boards may follow suit

education

education

Related Posts

Shaping Well-Rounded Learners Through Experiential Education
Perspective

Shaping Well-Rounded Learners Through Experiential Education

by education
August 15, 2025
University of Southampton awarded licence to establish India campus, becomes first UK Univ to come to India
Perspective

Will India’s NEP Bet on Foreign Campuses Pay Off?

by education
August 4, 2025
Education: The Missing Link in Our Climate Agenda
Perspective

Education: The Missing Link in Our Climate Agenda

by education
June 5, 2025
NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY SPECIAL: The Crucial Role of STEM Education in Shaping the Future
Perspective

NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY SPECIAL: The Crucial Role of STEM Education in Shaping the Future

by education
February 28, 2025
The Need for Specialized Market Certifications in the Era of Financial Transformation
Perspective

The Need for Specialized Market Certifications in the Era of Financial Transformation

by education
February 20, 2025
Next Post
CBSE cancels class X exam, postpones class XII due to worsening pandemic situation, other boards may follow suit

CBSE cancels class X exam, postpones class XII due to worsening pandemic situation, other boards may follow suit

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed

Useful Announcements

  • All
  • Useful Announcements

JD’s launch two new Digital Design UG and 3- one-year Diploma Programs

August 28, 2025

HCLTech, Pearson India and MeitY Startup Hub launch ARISE FOR YOU™ aimed at igniting the entrepreneurial spirit among India’s youth

August 28, 2025

Ayurveda Day to be marked on 23 September annually from 2025

August 26, 2025
India to Celebrate National Sports Day 2025 as Three-Day Fitness Festival

India to Celebrate National Sports Day 2025 as Three-Day Fitness Festival

August 25, 2025

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports invites nominations for National Youth Award 2024 by Sep 30

August 25, 2025

Choose France Tour 2025 to Showcase World-Class Education Opportunities for Indian Students

August 25, 2025

IIT Delhi Launches Online PG Diploma in EV Technology

August 25, 2025

Green Gold Animation Launches Writer Hunt to Build India’s Next Big Kids’ Animation IP

August 22, 2025

IIHMR Startups to host 3rd Edition of TEDxIIHMRU on Aug 29

August 20, 2025

IIM Indore Announces Second Intake of its COO Programme

August 18, 2025

Download current issue Not available

https://online.pubhtml5.com/jlyo/bxvr/

Monthly Magazine : Feb 2024

Interactive (Quizzes/Surveys)

Start Monthly Quiz
Education21

An initiative in continuation of Curriculum Magazine, Education21.in, is a platform for New India that aspires to be a valuable innovator, partner and collaborator for a just and sustainable world. Continuing with our steady and 360 degree coverage of education system and skills landscape, we are here more oriented towards learner community.

Useful Links

  • About us
  • Team
  • Contact
  • Editorial opportunities
  • Subscriptions
  • Job Opportunities
  • Features

Important Links

  • Blog
  • Archives
  • People
  • Careerwise
  • Resources
  • Downloadable
  • Old issues

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Education21.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Education21.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In