Don't make it a tradition

But certainly a system in Bangladesh was free from all types of corruption. It is the admission tests of engineering universities, medical colleges, and other public universities. The system made us proud through which only the meritorious students could show their real talent to secure a place. This is where a son of a poor farmer can contest the son of the honorable president. This is the only place where all are equal and only merit talks. It is often easy to get a grand job with the help of nepotism and 'links' but the same is not true for these admission tests. That is why I was truly proud of the system for its opacity and trustworthiness. I am using the word "was" because of the recent admission test of medical colleges which took place this year. I have come to know that the highest score of the admission test of medical colleges this year is 98 and quite a considerable number of students achieved more than 90 Wow! What an achievement. With due respect to those students I would like to say that it is never possible to hit that score line by so many students.

Yes, there are some exceptionally meritorious students in each batch who can score over 90. But those are some rare exceptions. I also went through the admission test and know the format very well. I scored 48 and secured my place in M.A.G. Osmani Medical College, Sylhet in 2001-2002 (My HSC was in 2001 from Notre Dame College). I know how difficult it is to answer 100 questions in only 60 minutes. On an average one gets only 36 seconds to answer a question. If one wants to answer all the 100 questions within the specific time span he/she have to read each question (I can assure that each question is not less than 10 words), it's 4 alternatives (one have to read all of these 4 because more than one correct answer is theoretically possible), take a decision about the correct one, switch to the answer sheet and fill up the correct circle. So, this is a mammoth task to correct more than 90. I am exaggerating to mention it a "mammoth" task, the true word should be "rare". And only a diminutive number of students make this impossible task possible.

So, what is the proposition? The answer is either we have got a bunch of tremendous talents all together in a single batch or something went seriously wrong. Now, the big question is "should the examination result sustain?" I don't think so and I hope so, too. Now one can ask me," why?" Many people may ask me that, "What wrong with those students who got the chance fairly?" I would like to say that, a real star would always shine. As so much controversy is going on about the result the students who got chance would take it as a challenge and proclaim themselves as superior. Why should they miss the opportunities to really prove themselves by appearing at the admission tests again? Some of those may miss the 1st place but surely achieve the 2nd or 3rd if they have the capability. And I think it would be more satisfactory for them rather than carrying the accusation throughout the life.

Now the question is what if the result sustains? This would lead a very bad example. As I told earlier, it would destroy the whole system. If it is not cancelled, it would be declared as a legal one, a tradition where students would feel more interested to consume their time behind searching the question paper rather than seeking the knowledge. And my concern is not only for the medical admission test, it is for all the admission tests. So please, do not make it a tradition, retake the examination. Don't encourage any corruption; don't pretend not to see when you can see.