7 Reasons Why Students Fail CBT Examination (MUST READ)

CBT is an acronym for Computer Based Examination. It implies the type of examination that is conducted by the use of computer systems.

CBT was introduced recently into the Nigerian educational system, but the introduction has been applauded in some quarters while some have condemned it.

We cannot shy away from the fact that the world is now being digitalized on daily basis and Nigeria can not be an exception.

I compiled seven reasons why larger percentage of  students fail this CBT examination, they are;

1. Students' perception to CBT: Naturally average human being harbors 'change'. This has affected the students psychologically, because they are reluctant to change. The are used to paper and pencil or say pen type of examination.

This will make some of them to fail the examination even before they leave home for the examination. And conceding defeat before the battle will tantamount to real defeat when the battle starts.

Students' psyche should be worked on, as to embracing the change and that it is all in their favour.

2. Phobia: This may be funny but true. Some students do fear computer system as if it can harm them. This I know from my knowledge as a computer instructor, if you instruct some to even type their names using the keyboard, you will see them fidgeting as if the computer will swallow them.

If someone can not use it to type his or her name, and you want same student to run an examination on it.... You don't need to be a seer before you can predict the outcome of the result of such student.

3. Time: Time they say is the bedrock of all examination. If an examination that suppose to be for 2 hours can be written in 10 hours, I'm sure virtually all the students will pass it.

Most students complain of short time frame for the examination. Some of the questions are time-bound, that is, say 15 seconds for a question.

In this scenario, if a student uses 25 seconds on such question, it will have multiplier effect on the next questions and this may make such student to come out woefully.

4. Modus operandi of the examination: The way CBT examination is arranged is far different from the conventional system of pen and paper. With pen and paper, you have access to all the questions at a glance but the reverse is the case for CBT.

In a situation where you have just a question on the screen and the answer is not forthcoming, their will be an unofficial impediment or say delay but there is a chance to skip it but their is a little or no chance to re-visit it after treating like the next 5 questions.

This equally contributes indirectly to the high rate of failure being recorded as well.

5. Not having exposure to stereotypes: This is a very serious issue, being brilliant does not matter here. Even a professor can have a poor outing in this type of situation.

Some of these students have not seen how the CBT works before, most especially people living in the rural areas that have no or little access to ICT.

6. Inadequate preparation: This may not be linked directly with CBT but in a situation where the students fails to plan by preparing well for the examination, the output will be nothing to write home about.

You can only deliver what you have in your brain. Like this saying "proper planning prevents poor performance"; this implies that improper planning will definitely breeds poor performance.

7. Reduction in examination malpractices: This  I ought not to have added but it is still part of it. Before now, some students rely on helps to pass examination.

But with CBT, you are on your own (OYO). The person close to you might not be attempting the question you are battling with presently and everyone is working towards beating the time.

I think CBT was introduced to curb this primarily and for real, it has drastically reduced examination malpractices.

Advantages of CBT
It has a lot of advantages, among which are;
it makes all the examination processes very easy.

To the examiners, very easy to arrange questions and marking and grading are equally with ease.

Result of over 5 million people can be marked are ready to be accessed within 48 hours unlike before when you have to wait for ages.

To the students, writing examine using CBT is fast and also easy.

Disadvantages of CBT 
Machine, server and power failure can mar the process.

Conclusion
As I writen above, the idea of CBT is a welcomed development. It has come to stay and should be embraced by all and sundry.

To the examination bodies, I will advise them to give these students more time, so that the phobia that is being entertained by the student can be catered for.

At least, a sound student should be able to get himself or herself back on the track within 5 minutes of the start of the examination.

To school owners or coaching centres, students should be exposed to rigorous practical session on CBT, this will enable them to acclamatized with the modus operandi of the system as regards CBT.

They should allow each student to practicalise the application very well, this will indeed go a long way. It will make CBT examination a familiar terrain for them.

To the parents, please if you can afford a computer system for your children or wards, do not deny then the privilege. If they have unlimited access to it at home, it will be a plus when using it for examination.
You can even get the CBT software installed for them for practice.

To the government, premium should be placed on the learning of computer as a compulsory subject in the school, this should cut across both the primary and secondary schools.

Professionals should be employed to teach these students, because presently illiteracy is not inability to read and write again but inability to read, write and compute using a computer system.

-ADC 

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