Introduction
Every year, the University of Engineering and Technology, Mumbai (IIT Bombay), releases a draft answer key for the Unified Council Exam for Entrance into Design (UCEED) (UCCEED), which is the entrance exam for the Integrated MDes program. This article focuses on a specific incident in the 2017 edition, where discrepancies were reported in the draft answer key. The core issue centers around the corrections made to answers for questions 4, 28, 30, 38, 42, 54, 58, 60, 73, and 77. This analysis aims to provide a detailed overview of the findings, the impact, and the subsequent actions taken by the authority.
Identification of Discrepancies
Upon the release of the draft answer key for UCEED 2017, several students identified errors and discrepancies in the marking scheme. These corrections were primarily in questions 4, 28, 30, 38, 42, 54, 58, 60, 73, and 77. The following section details the specific issues raised by students:
Corrected Answers
According to feedback from students, the following questions in the 2017 UCEED draft answer key were identified for correction:
Question 4 Question 28 Question 30 - The original answer was marked as A, B, C, D, but the correct answer is B, C, D. Question 38 - The original answer was D, but the correct answer is only D. Question 42 Question 54 - The original answer was None, but the correct answer is not applicable. Question 58 - The original answer was Any of the four, but the correct answer is A, B, C, D. Question 60 - The original answer was None, but the correct answer is not applicable. Question 73 - The original answer was None, but the correct answer is not applicable. Question 77 - The original answer was None, but the correct answer is not applicable.Students' Feedback and Reporting
Students who identified these discrepancies promptly reported them to the authorities. Letters and emails have been addressed to the UCEED team, detailing the issues with the draft answer key. The students' primary concern was the impact of these errors on their scores, as well as the integrity and fairness of the examination process.
Actions Taken by IIT Bombay
In response to the feedback, the University of Engineering and Technology, Mumbai (IIT Bombay) has taken several actions to address the discrepancies:
Verification: The UCEED team has reviewed the feedback provided by the students to verify the accuracy and correctness of the answers. Revised Answer Key: The draft answer key has been revisited, and deemed necessary corrections have been made. The updated answer key is now available. Feedback Solicitation: The team is engaging with students to ensure all issues are resolved and providing them with an opportunity to review the new answer key.Impact and Future Considerations
The corrections to the answer key in 2017 UCEED have significant implications for students. It highlights the importance of accurate and transparent processes in academic examinations, ensuring that students' scores reflect their true performance.
For future UCEED examinations, there are several recommendations to ensure minimal errors in the answer key:
Step-wise Evaluation Graduation (SEG): IIT Bombay might consider implementing a step-wise evaluation gradient (SEG) to systematically evaluate and correct the answer key. Inter-University Collaboration: Collaboration with other universities conducting similar entrance exams can provide insights and benchmarks for standardizing answer key corrections. Automated Systems: Utilizing advanced software and algorithms can help in minimizing human error during the evaluation and correction process.Conclusion
The discrepancies in the 2017 UCEED draft answer key underscore the importance of rigorous quality control in examination processes. It is essential for all stakeholders, including students, universities, and examination boards, to work towards more accurate and transparent results. Future examinations can benefit from adopting a more systematic and automated approach to ensure the integrity and fairness of the process.