Navigating Objectionable Questions in COMEDK 2020: A Comprehensive Guide

The Consortium for Medical, Engineering, Dentistry and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (COMEDK) is a significant gateway for students aspiring to pursue various professional courses in medical and engineering fields. However, the 2020 edition faced scrutiny due to several questionable questions that were deemed unnecessary and misleading. This article examines these issues and offers a detailed explanation to help students and educators understand the concerns surrounding the COMEDK 2020.

Introduction to the COMEDK 2020 Controversy

The Consortium of Medical and Engineering Institutions, popularly known as COMEDK, conducted its entrance exam in 2020, expecting to receive applications from thousands of aspirants. However, the exam was marred by its controversial questions, particularly in the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics sections. Focusing on specific sections and questions, this article aims to clarify these doubts.

Question with NOR and NAND Gates

One of the most controversial aspects of the COMEDK 2020 exam was the question related to the logic gates, NOR and NAND. The question posed to the students asked to explain the function of these gates. However, the phrasing of the question was ambiguous, leading to confusion and public outcries.

The problem at hand is as follows:

Which of the following statements best describes the functionality of the NOR gate and NAND gate?

This question was considered by many to be an instance of SEBO (Social Engineering by Obfuscation), where the clarity and intent of the question were unclear, leading to multiple interpretations. While some candidates could provide valid answers based on their understanding, others might have felt the question was unfair and irrelevant.

Pa as SI Unit: A Misleading Question

Another controversial question involved the unit 'Pa.' The query was:

Is 'Pa' an SI unit? If yes, write its SI form and if no, mention its use in a scientific context.

The confusion arose from the ambiguous phrasing of the question. Some students and experts pointed out that 'Pa' is indeed an SI unit which stands for Pascal, and its SI form is not 'Pa-s' or 'Pa.s' as the question suggested. This misdirection led to many questions and arguments among students and educators alike, questioning the accuracy and clarity of the test questions.

Mathematics and Chemistry Debates

Additionally, the Mathematics and Chemistry sections of the exam faced scrutiny due to unclear and seemingly irrelevant questions. One such question in Mathematics was:

Does the unit 'Pa' have any mathematical significance apart from its use in viscosity?

This question, similar to the previous one, was perceived as lacking clear context and could lead to different interpretations. Similarly, a chemistry question was:

Explain the concept of 'Pas' in terms of viscosity without mentioning the physical units.

The ambiguity here is evident, as 'Pas' is a unit used to measure dynamic viscosity, and its explanation should have been more straightforward. These questions became a point of discussion, prompting students and educators to critique the quality of the questions in the exam.

Effect on Candidates

The controversy surrounding these questions had a significant impact on the candidates. Many reported feeling frustrated and misled by the lack of clarity in the questions, leading to anxiety and stress. The ambiguity also raised questions about the fairness and rigor of the exam, potentially affecting the reliability of the results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the COMEDK 2020 faced several controversial questions that raised valid concerns among candidates and educators. The questions related to the functionality of logic gates, the unit 'Pa,' the relevance of units in mathematics, and the meaning of 'Pas' in chemistry highlighted the need for clearer and more concise question formulation. Addressing these issues will not only improve the quality of the exam but also maintain the public's trust in such standardized tests.

It is important for the exam authorities to ensure that all questions are judiciously crafted and provide clear, unambiguous instructions to students. This will enhance the credibility of the exam and help in nurturing a fair and transparent assessment environment.