UNN conducts maiden Post-Graduate Screening Exercise
The University of Nigeria, recently conducted her maiden Postgraduate Studies Screening Test for the 2013/2014 academic session at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus. Over 3000 candidates made up of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Masters and PhD candidates sat for the screening test which took place recently.
Commenting on the conduct of the examination, Mr. Nwankweagu, Maxwell a Master of Arts (M.A) candidate for Mass Communication exclaimed “the examination was quite smooth, interesting and funny”.
Also, Mr. Edemodu, Austin a M.A candidate for the Department of Mass Communication said that the examination was unexpected. “I thought the test will be based on area of specialization rather than on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Aptitude test”. He added that the test should have been anchored on specialization so as to ascertain each student’s ability.
Further, Mr. Edo Udoma an M.F.A candidate for Fine Applied Arts remarked that the examination was fine but was not a true test of knowledge.
Meanwhile, Miss. Enukora, Nkiru a PhD candidate for Psychology Department said “the examination was okay while Miss. Ukaeje Ugochi of the same Department said that although the questions were simple, it was not necessary. She advised that in future, questions should be related to one’s area of study.
Also the Special Assistant to the University Librarian, Dr. Cyprian I. Ugwu who was an invigilator observed that the examination was peaceful and successful. He recommended that the examination questions should be decentralized according to departments and that the questions should carry specific instructions.
However, the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. A. A. Ubachukwu remarked that the maiden edition was “borne out of concern of the university on the inability of some Post graduate students to express themselves. He added that “in order to have a form of standardization of the products of the university, the screening test became inevitable without prejudice to any particular institution”.
Prof. Ubachukwu stated that the screening exercise had come to stay as it was a good determinant used in reducing the number of candidates considered for admission and to ensure that the best candidates were admitted.
While reacting on the examination questions, he explained that the questions were standard questions used for job interviews. “The questions were meant to test the critical mind of candidates and how logical the mind can be”, he said.
Olanrewaju Ajala