Open book assessment at GMC Srinagar, sets social media abuzz on mass cheating

Srinagar: Chaos prevailed on the social media network sites when an open book assessment of MBBS students at Government Medical College,(GMC) Srinagar went viral and some users misunderstood it as mass copying.

The assessment conducted for the Ist time, on Wednesday, by the college's Department of Community Medicine to check the analytical skills of students, in place of their memorizing ability, created a sensation of sorts. The picture posted on social media showed students in their white overcoats peering into books, and was misconstrued as an attempt at mass copying.

"Someone had forwarded pictures of GMC Srinagar examination center. Please have a look upon it. Is it really Srinagar or GMC Bihar?" wrote an astonished Facebook user.

Officials were quick to clear the air by issuing prompt rebuttals. Principal, GMC who also issued a press statement denied any instance of mass copying. Issuing a clarification to HT he said, the test was held as an attempt to understand whether the process could help assess undergraduate medical students.

'Open book system' is meant to test 'higher order thinking skills' (HOTS). The test is meant to check the analytical skills and comprehension abilities of students, instead of their memory strength, through a rote-based conventional methodology, explained Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, Head, Community Medical Department said that the exam was conducted to familiarize students with the prevailing new forms of assessment outside the state of Kashmir.

Dr Khan elaborated that the questions being conceptual were complex in nature and could not be answered through a mere copy/paste.

"Even as our attempt was appreciated by many, however some have misconstrued it as mass-copying and these elements are spreading their misconception to malign the Kashmir medicos which is highly deplorable. Let them understand the concept first then react," he responded on Facebook.