Exam Policy for Spring 2020

EXAM POLICY FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2020 IN PURVIEW OF COVID-19

1) BS / M.Sc. Examinations

1.1. Mid Term Evaluation: 50%

Student shall be evaluated through multiple means such as assignments, term papers, quizzes, online presentation, viva, and online exams. Following weightage is proposed:

Assignments / term papers / online presentations / quizzes / Class Participation: 30%

Oral Examination & Online Exam, (preferably short Q/A): 20%

  • There shall be a perpetual evaluation system with 30% share of assignments / term papers online presentations / quizzes / online class participation. The share of mid-semester examination will be 20%.
  • It is also recommended that major proportion of mid-semester examination should be based on the topics covered in classes till March 13.2020. if possible, different question papers can be designed to avoid cheating. It is recommended that for mid-semester examination in addition to written exam teacher should take oral examination.
  • Oral examination can be taken via WhatsApp call / conference call. It is highly recommended to take oral examination, as assignments / term papers can also be assessed through viva. It is also recommended that oral examination (if any) may be taken by at least two teachers (not mandatory though), second teacher can also be an observer.
  • Further in first component of evaluation (assignments etc.) students should be assessed through multiple modes with a fair weight of each component.
  • Since students (or teacher) may face problem in internet connectivity, so it is recommended that teachers may not take surprise quizzes. Further even for announced online exam / presentation student may be given two chances that if he/she is unable to join due to connectivity issues.
  • Teacher should maintain a complete record of marks obtained in assignments, term paper (if any), quizzes and online exam. This record should be shared with students. Further students may be allowed to see the marked assignment / term paper / quizzes / exam of others.

1.2. Final Evaluation:           50%

There can be two components of final assessment. Oral Examination and written examination

       Oral Examination: 10%

       Online Exam, (preferably short Question Answers:     40%

  • Written Examination

It is highly recommended that final assessment may be taken through Learning Management System (LMS). This system has attractive options such as different question papers are automatically designed for all students, further machine-based grading is also possible. Teachers may use alternative software like Poll Everywhere.

  • Oral Examination

Oral examination can be taken via WhatsApp call (conference call). It is highly recommended to take oral examination, as assignments / term papers can also be assessed through viva. It is also recommended that oral examination may be taken by at least two teachers (not mandatory though), second teacher can also be an observer.

1.3. Modalities

  • Date and duration of exam / quiz / viva should be announced with a margin of at least one week
  • Final Examination shall        be conducted according to Date Sheet
  • Result of midterm evaluation (50%) should be announced according to semester schedule issued by (he Registrar Office (July 30, 2020)
  • At least one additional (not mandatory) teacher may be engaged in viva (may be as an observer or active)
  • Students should have provision to look assignments / exams of others (after semester)
  • If a student exhaust all chances and is unable to appear in final examination due to internet connectivity issues, then final examination can be conducted physically as when university reopens. However, such student(s) may not be allowed to register new courses in next semester, depending how many courses are left.

2) BS / MSc Viva Oral Examination

Online viva / oral examination (if any) will be conducted by a panel of examiners. Chairman / Director / Incharge will constitute panel of examiners. There should be at least three examiners in a panel. This is only for the courses which are registered as viva / oral examination and the instructor is not defined

3) Evaluation of Practical

  • Laboratory Experiments: Since it is not possible to physically conduct experiments in laboratories. Therefore, teachers will prepare and share the lab demonstration videos of the practical for the better understanding, online available demonstration videos can also be shared/ referred by acknowledging/permission of the publisher. The online oral / written exam will be conducted for the lab. course.
  • Computer Based Practical: Students may be asked to run experiments at their home and send the output file(s) to teachers and teachers may take viva examination.

4) Evaluation of Research Project

Topics are already assigned to the students. Now they may be given alternative options, such as they can be asked to write an exhaustive review of literature of the topic, develop hypothesis, explain framework of experiment. The writeup should be bibliographic supported. Oral / written examination can be conducted from the submitted report (if required)

5) M.Phil. / Ph.D. Examination (Course work)

Same as Section: 1

6) M.Phil. / Ph.D. Thesis Defense

  • Online Thesis Defense via Microsoft Teams or any other appropriate software
  • The viva-voce examination in defense of the dissertation shall be conducted by a committee consisting of the Chairperson / Director / Incharge of the department / school / institute / center concerned. Supervisor of the student and the External Examiner.
  • All faculty members of concerned department / school / institute / center are advised to attend the defense: however, it is not obligatory for them.
  • Other research students of the department / school / institute / center concerned may also be provided an opportunity to attend the seminar.
  • If possible, viva may be recorded
  • CMS is requested to provide technical support to all departments / schools / centers / institutes.

7) Ph.D. Seminar

  • Online via Microsoft Teams or any other appropriate software
  • The seminar shall be conducted by a committee consisting of the Director / Chairperson / Incharge of the department / school / institute / center concerned. Supervisor of the student and at least one faculty member of the department / school / institute / center concerned.
  • All faculty members of concerned department / school / institute / center arc advised to attend the seminar: however, it is not obligatory for them.
  • Other research students of the department / school / institute / center concerned may also be provided an opportunity to attend the seminar.

8) Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

8.1. Written Examination

It is highly recommended that exam may be taken through Learning Management System (LMS). This system has attractive options such as different question papers are automatically designed for all students, further machine-based grading is also possible. Teachers may use software like Poll Everywhere. We may also go for take home exam followed by intensive oral examination.

8.2. Viva / Oral Examination

  • Viva / Oral Examination may be conducted via Teams or any other appropriate software.
  • Comprehensive examination will be conducted by the approved committee, as per rules of university.

These are the general guidelines for online assessment: respective Deans may recommend changes depending upon the nature of subject. It Is also to mention that QAU will resume physical examination as when instructed by the HEC.