Article Contents
Introduction
In any educational institution or large university, managing examinations and evaluating answer sheets is a crucial activity that defines the institution’s success. Students must receive accurate and timely feedback on their examination performance, and the examination process should be conducted systematically. This approach helps students receive personalized feedback on their performance.
Technology can play a vital role in achieving excellence in examination management. In this case study, we will discuss how one of the leading private universities implemented an on-screen marking system to simplify their answer sheet evaluation process.
This success story highlights the benefits and efficiencies gained through this technological advancement. Let’s delve into the details and explore how this university achieved remarkable results.
About Indira University
Indira Group of Institutes (IGI), established in 1994, is a premier educational institution based in Pune, offering a diverse range of programs from pre-primary to postgraduate degrees. With a legacy spanning over three decades, IGI is known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure, global learning platforms, and strong industry-academic interface.
With an increasing number of students for various courses, the university decided to opt for the on-screen marking system of Splashgain to streamline the answer sheet checking process.
Challenges Faced During Answer Sheet Checking
1. Manual data maintenance
Before the implementation of the on-screen marking system, the university encountered numerous challenges, particularly with manual data management.
Each question paper required meticulous tracking, linking it to the corresponding answer sheets. Examiners had to continuously verify the question papers against physical copies, which were then manually evaluated. This process was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors.
The constant handling of physical documents added to the complexity, making data maintenance a significant hassle. This inefficient system highlighted the urgent need for a more streamlined and automated solution.
2. Physical availability of examiner at campus
Manual evaluation of answer sheets has significant limitations. The university had to invite various professors or teachers to the campus to evaluate physical copies of the answer sheets.
This process resulted in considerable chaos and required extensive coordination. The evaluation schedule had to align with the availability of each professor or teacher, necessitating meticulous coordination to ensure that the right subject experts were available at the right times.
This manual process was not only cumbersome but also time-consuming. Coordinating with hundreds of examiners and professors to evaluate thousands of answer sheets posed a massive logistical challenge.
The university aimed to complete the entire evaluation process within a strict timeframe of 3 to 4 weeks, adding to the pressure. The sheer volume of coordination and the need to meet aggressive deadlines made manual evaluation inefficient and prone to delays.
The traditional method demanded significant effort and resources, highlighting the need for a more streamlined and efficient evaluation system.
3. Cost allowances to the examiner
The university also faced significant challenges with the costs associated with the physical evaluation of answer sheets. In the manual process, examiners were required to travel to the examination center or university campus. This necessitated providing travel allowances and food allowances for the examiners. Additionally, there were extra costs for the actual evaluation of each physical copy of the answer sheet.
The overall expense of the evaluation process was considerable. It included coordination costs, travel, and food allowances. For outstation examiners, the university also had to arrange accommodations, further increasing the costs. These logistical expenses and the need for quick evaluation added to the financial burden.
Due to these high costs, the university recognized the need to switch to a technology-based solution. Implementing an on-screen marking system became an attractive option to streamline the process, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. This shift not only aimed to simplify the evaluation process but also to address the critical issue of managing overall expenses effectively.
4. Time-consuming of manual evaluation
Manual evaluation of answer sheets is indeed time-consuming, typically taking 10 to 15 minutes per sheet. Examiners must meticulously verify each page of the physical answer sheet, including any supplements.
Various exam patterns, such as compulsory and optional questions, further complicate the process. Professors need to manually calculate total marks, considering sectional scores for objective and descriptive questions.
This intricate process inevitably delays the overall evaluation, hindering the university’s ability to prepare results promptly. The manual approach thus significantly impacts efficiency and timeliness in result preparation.
- Eliminate manual answersheet checking process.
- Check answersheets from any remote location.
- Automate result processing activities using technology.
How Eklavvya OSM has helped Indira University
To address the numerous challenges associated with the manual evaluation of physical answer sheets, the university implemented the Eklavvya on-screen marking platform.
This leading on-screen marking solution, adopted by various universities across India, significantly simplifies the answer sheet evaluation process.
Eklavvya’s system allows for efficient digital evaluation, reducing time and effort while enhancing accuracy. Let’s explore how the Eklavvya on-screen marking system helps the university streamline and improve the entire answer sheet evaluation process.
The Eklavvya On-Screen Marking System revolutionized the university’s answer sheet evaluation process. Initially, all physical answer sheets were scanned and digitized using Eklavvya’s high-speed scanners.
This rapid conversion enabled professors and examiners to securely evaluate answer sheets online from any location. The system’s advanced features ensure that all pages and sections of the answer sheets are reviewed, preventing errors.
Automated scoring, considering various exam patterns, replaced manual calculations, saving over 75% of evaluation time. Online evaluation reduced the process to just 2-3 minutes per sheet, compared to 10-15 minutes manually.
This efficiency led to quicker result declarations and significant cost savings by eliminating travel and accommodation expenses for examiners. The system also simplified the long-term storage of digital answer sheets, complying with regulatory requirements.
Feedback from the Controller of Examinations
Encouraged by these benefits, the university plans to expand the use of the on-screen marking system for future examinations. Mr. Shantilal Ghalme, the Controller of Examinations, has expressed positive feedback on the system’s implementation.
Eklavvya onscreen evaluation system is a mature product and it helped our university to ensure that all milestones of the answer sheet evaluation project were achieved without any issues.
Our university is able to complete the entire activity with result declaration in record time with high efficiency. Our faculty found this system efficient, user friendly.
Eklavvya’s efforts contributed to the online answer sheet evaluation success and enhanced our team’s overall experience. Their professional attitude and exceptional skills have left a lasting positive impression on us.
Mr. Shantilal T. Ghalme,
Assistant Professor and Additional Controller of Examinations,
Indira College of Commerce and Science
