1000+ Group Discussion Topics for Bank Interview

They should be abolished:

The system of written examinations which places too much emphasis on mere academic and theoretical knowledge which is shorn of any practical utility has become anachronistic in the changed tines of today. Moreover, a teacher who is knowledgeable in some subjects may be quite ignorant in several others. He can only teach what we know and, therefore, he is not competent enough to judge, through examinations, the whole knowledge of his students.

The best way that a candidate can be judged in for his ability and knowledge is by own teacher or instructor who has observed him throughly for a considerable period of time. This system of judging the students prevailed during ancient period in India when Gurukulas and Ashrams used to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical training to their pupils.

But today, when teachers themselves leave much to be desired, our examinations system, no matter how effective or efficient we claim it to be, cannot be a reliable tool for testing students worth for any job, whether civil or defence.

Even otherwise, a candidate aspiring to get a Commission in the Defence Services has to face group discussion, interview and nerve racking psychological tests. Therefore, the written examinations become superfluous.

Written examinations test one’s theoretical knowledge in one’s area of study. They do not judge its practical applicability in real life situations. There is no dearth of cases where inspite of having done remarkably well in the written examinations, people have miserably failed when it came to demonstrating their abilities amid strife’s and strains of life.

The futility of written tests becomes all the more apparent in the selection of candidates in the Defence Services where one learns the strategies of war on the actual battle field, not in the classroom.

Great heroes of history like Napoleon, Lord Clive, Alexander, Hari Singh Nalwa, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Tipu Sultan, Shivaji and others did not rise to eminence on the basis of any written examinations.

Any system of examinations, in orders to be fool proof, must take into consideration the psychological and physical state of health of a student just before and during the examination, and not just his area of knowledge as such.

A student who is not physically fit or is psychologically disturbed because of some tragedy at home or otherwise will not be able to put forth his best and may even fail in the examination, not withstanding his best preparation, labour of years and a vast storehouse of knowledge.

They should be continued:

The utility of written examinations for granting a commission in the Defence Services is proved by the fact that those selected have found to be doing well in their service and life as such. Only rarely does it happen that a candidate so selected does not justify expectations from him. Even here, the blame should be borne by his entire method of selection, and not just by the written examination.

Written examinations fairly accurately give an idea of a candidates knowledge or otherwise in a particular field. Since the syllabus is common to all, clear, well defined and known beforehand, the candidates have no genuine grievance as to its objectivity.

Examinations may not be satisfactory method of judging one’s real worth but only to some extent. Without some sort of examination, education itself will lose its relevance. For the fault of a few teachers who are dishonest and are lured by temptations we cannot be justified in abolishing the system of examinations itself, only to leave field wide open for the worst type of evils like bribery and corruption on a much wider scale.

The system of written examinations has been with us for ages and has served its purpose quite well. China during the time of Confucius developed a highly successful method of examinations for recruiting personnel to the Army and other government jobs.

Granted we abolish the system of written examinations, but where are the options to fulfill the criteria of reability and suitability? Several substitutes have been tried in the past but none has proved itself as trustworthy as a written examination – notwithstanding its short comings. Therefore, common sense demands that we should not abolish the present system unless and until we have found equally good, if not better, alternative to it: otherwise we might land in a wrong situation.