NATIONAL TESTING SERVICE
 

17.1 The Programme of Action visualises the establishment of a National Testing Service as early as possible. The primary use of such a test would be to allow people, whether they have degrees or not, to demonstrate that they have the proficiency to qualify for a variety of jobs that have been traditionally limited to graduates. In order to give effect to this proposal, a detailed project report was prepared under the guidance of a Project Advisory Committee. On the basis of their report, it has been decided in principle to establish a National Testing Service(NTS).

The major functions proposed for the NTS are:

a) The NTS will conduct tests on a voluntary basis to determine and certify the suitability of candidates for specified jobs that do not require a degree or diploma quali- fication.

b) The NTS test will be designed on the basis of detailed job description and job/task analysis to identify the re- quirements of knowledge, competence, skills and the aptitudes necessary for the performance of identified jobs or clusters of jobs. The NTS test will not be in the nature of a single test or a repetition of the same test. It will be a sequence of tests each with its own characteristics.

c) In the field of admission to higher courses, the NTS may make available its expertise and capabilities to existing institutions and agencies at an appropriate time by holding preliminary/screening or other tests on their behalf. The NTS will not hold, on its own, any admission tests which will confer a claim on anyone for admission to any institution.

d) In areas where there are no recruitment tests at present such as faculty recruitment, recruitment of scien- tists, specialists, etc., the NTS will offer its services in due course to agencies which wish to conduct such tests.

e) The NTS will function as a well equipped resource centre at the national level in test development, test admin- istration, test scoring, etc. and will establish a comprehen- sive database on educational testing.

17.2 The NTS is proposed to be established as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act. The details of the organisational structure involving linkages with academic institutions, recruiting agencies, employing organisations, etc. and the infrastructure (staff, equipment) are being worked out.

31