A Scene in The Examination Hall

Everybody is afraid of the examinations. But it is rightly said that they are a necessary evil. They

are necessary because perhaps there is no other way of testing one's ability. They are evil because they cause a lot of discomfort and tension to the examinee.

In any case, there is no escape from the examinations, at least in the present set-up. Society is becoming more and more competitive day-by-day. So, for the sake of excellence, the students have to work hard and long to show excellent results. I remember how I had to burn the midnight oil for months together prior to the last examination which I passed.

Strangely enough, the efficacy of labor of months is tested just in three hours. Last year when I went to the examination hall for the first day to take my examination in English, I was very nervous. My nervousness was further enhanced because I reached the hall a bit late when all other candidates were already in and had occupied their seats.

As I entered the hall, the first bell had already gone. The answer sheets were being distributed. I occupied my seat. I was perhaps the last student to be given the answer sheet. Soon, the superintendent stood up and began to announce instructions. Some students were whispering. He pulled them up. Then he issued a stern warning against indulging in copying. The pockets of other candidates had already been searched by supervisory staff. Now, my pocket was also searched by the supervisor concerned.

Soon, the bell rang and the question papers distributed. Now, there was pin-drop silence. But the candidates read the question paper; some of them were non-plussed. A few students dared to get on their feet and make an unintelligible hissing sound. The superintendent shouted at them and asked them to explain their strange behavior. Hesitatingly, the students told him that a large portion of the question paper was either out of syllabus or too tough. The superintendent tried to pacify them. But then more students raised their voice and there was pandemonium. At last, the superintendent assured the students that the matter would be brought to the notice of the Registrar, and a request for “grace marks” would be made. This assurance satisfied the candidates and they became silent.

After a few minutes, a student was caught copying from a slip of paper which he had hidden in his socks. The supervisor concerned threatened to lodge a complaint against him under the U.M.C. (unfair means case) clause. The student fell at his feet and promised to discard this evil of copying henceforward. On the advice of the superintendent, the supervisor let off the student.

Thereafter, the students did their work silently. AS the question paper was very tough, most of the students could not attempt all the questions. So, the hall was almost empty about one hour before the maximum time allowed was over. Fortunately, my hard work paid me dividends. I could attempt all the questions and sat till the end when I alone was left in the hall. While collecting the answer book, the supervisor appreciated my effort. When I went out, my friends were there waiting for me. We exchanged notes and they marveled at my rare performance.