Successfully Conducts E-Marking Practice Exams

Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) was established in 2003 with the objective of introducing a reliable and efficient method of examination to positively influence the overall school education system. The step was taken in response to persistent requests from several quarters like schools, students, educationists and parents to introduce improved methods of examining candidates for Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate.

Students taking the first practice examinations in May 2006

After careful consideration and research, AKU-EB decided to introduce an electronic marking system to anchor the proposed improvement in standards. Electronic marking is the most advanced approach used in the developed countries. This initiative of AKU-EB makes Pakistan only the third country in the world using this method.

With an objective of putting a proper system in place, AKU-EB has imparted teachers' training programmes throughout the country but has also provided to students free of cost learning material to help them meet the new examination criteria that measures knowledge, understanding, and application.

In order to familiarise its stakeholders with this newly developed system, AKU-EB provided them an opportunity of practice examinations before the final examinations of 2007. The practice examination for Grade IX students in 16 SSC subjects was successfully completed in May. A total of 2,250 candidates were examined in 52 centres located in every province of Pakistan.

E-marking is based on special software developed by AKU. The secure system sends images of each sheet of the candidate's response to a different specially trained teacher sitting in front of a computer screen to enter scores according to a specific mark scheme for the question. The marks are then automatically assigned to the candidate without revealing the candidate's identity. This means every AKU-EB candidate receives the benefit of over 80 judgments by different subject experts.

E-marking has not only made it possible to announce results within six weeks of the examinations, but a detailed feedback is also sent to the schools so that the teachers can work on the areas that need improvement. It produces rapid and extremely accurate assessments which will be available to candidates and schools by the end of June.

The AKU written software will be offered to the other boards in Pakistan and elsewhere after it has been thoroughly tested.