More government agencies are turning to the National Testing Service for employee recruitment
ISLAMABAD: According to the recently announced results of the CSS examination by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), only 202 candidates managed to clear the exam, the percentage of success being a mere 2.07. As usual, poor academic standards will be blamed for the abysmal rate; however, the scale of the tragedy calls for a departmental inquiry.
The FPSC has not yet, until the writing of this letter, disclosed the subject-wise rates of success, but it is a fair guess that the essay component or some other compulsory paper must have proven lethal. A 2.07 rate certainly calls for an academic audit, which may reveal sheer incompetence of the examiner as the true cause for the disaster.
The FPSC is reported to be mulling a proposal for a preliminary screening test. A computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions will save all aspirants a lot of unnecessary trouble. Results would be out three days later, saving unsuccessful candidates months of preparation, substantial financial losses and false aspirations for an unattainable career.
More government agencies are turning to the National Testing Service for employee recruitment. If the FPSC is not cautious, it may soon find its territory encroached upon by the fast-growing testing service.
Dr Faiz Ahmad
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2016.
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