A scene in examination hall
From before the beginning to after the end of any
examination, the examination hall presents such a chequered and rapidly shifting
appearance that instead of knitting them all into one scene, each should be called
a separate spectacle, complete and variegated.
Students usually
begin to report to the examination hall about half an hour before the scheduled
hour when the first bell goes. T henceforth, till the second bell, the short
span of about twenty minutes is passed in the midst of a variety of scenes.
But as soon as the
second bell is rung, invigilators enter into the hall followed by bearers with
blank answer scripts. Immediately the whole boisterous hall is hushed into
pin-drop silence. Answer scripts are then distributed and students receiving
them set to write names and rolls immediately.
The examination is now on. Question papers are rapidly
distributed and there is a mixture of mild flutter, murmur and rustling all
around the hall. This is caused by the handling and turning of question papers
over and over and also by the mild exchange of views among the examiners as to
the ease or stiffness of questions. It all, however, ends in some ten minutes
when the battle begins in earnest, with every examiner rushing to the thick of
the fight with whatever ammunition he owns.
For the first one
hour, full silence prevails all over the hall. There is neither attempt to lose
time nor any negligence in gaining as much as possible.
When the second hour begins, the peace and silence of the
hall is slightly disturbed. Some are going out; some are asking for water; some
for some explanation of a clumsy question. Picking and choosing start now and
in doing so examiners look at each other's paper, talk with one another and
even disturb the invigilators quite frequently.
As the third hour begins, many of the examiners who have
nothing more to write hand over their scripts and walk out. Others still carry
on efforts, trying to steal something from their fortunate friends' answer
books. Out of desperation, attempts are now made even to adopt unfair means, ranging
from copying to the changing of answer scripts. Throughout the hall, occasional
shouts of 'paper, sir' are heard. Bearers are to run about to stitch loose sheets.
As the end draws
near, nervousness of those who have things enough to write increases. Their
speed is enhanced and yet many of them find it tough to coup with the
situation. After this 'collection' of papers begins, some papers are snatched
away even at a time when an examiner was half the way of a particular sentence.
As the examination is over, the remaining students come out
with loud noise and their heart of any burden. Some compare answers and ascertain
the correctness of this or that answer. Others do not care at all about what is
gone and past and proceed to their habitations or make straight for the
restaurant. At times, of course, there is a discussion about the standard of
questions or a deprecation of some invigilator’s conduct.
