What is RBI? College students have no clue
130 students of LD Arts College took a general knowledge test recently, but only eight passed it
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, January 20, 2010
♦ Which country is the world’s largest producer of milk? It’s India.
A fifth-grader can give this answer in a twinkling, but several college-going students couldn’t even after cudgelling their brains for more than an hour. Amdavadi youths’ poor general knowledge was exposed when LD Arts College conducted a surprise test recently.
Of the 130 students who took the multiple-choice GK test, only eight managed to give enough correct answers to pass the 90-minute exam. This outcome left the college’s principal, Mahipatsinh Chawda, and academics Mirror spoke to completely stunned.
“This is the level of basic knowledge among college-goers. It’s quite shocking,” he said. “I decided to conduct such a test for our students because I suspected that they were not reading enough to increase their general knowledge.”
Chawda said that the 75 questions of the test — which was held on January 11 — were related to current affairs, literature, theology, geography, economics, sports, films, and Indian history, among other topics.
Questions were tough
To be fair to the 130 youngsters, several questions were tough and can humble even those who bandy about their stellar results in IQ tests. However, some were relatively easy. For instance, what is the main crop of India? A: Wheat. B: Rice: C: Jowar or D: Corn. The answer, the college says, is option B.
“All students in our college scored at least 60 per cent in their class X exams. Yet, of the 130 who appeared for the test, only eight cleared it by scoring 36 marks. Imagine the level of general knowledge among students of colleges that admit even those with poor SSC result,” Chawda said. “We are trying to create awareness among our students that GK is a key requirement for securing good jobs.”
According to the LD Arts principal, youths from Gujarat struggle to clear UPSC exam and other competitive tests because they ignore current affairs and other primary subjects.
“There are some youngsters who focus only on improving their English language skills. While this is a good step, they should not ignore GK. In an interview, a firm may excuse an applicant for speaking poor English, but may not show leniency when it comes to possessing fundamental facts,” he said.
Students’ poor GK worries academics
The principal of RH Patel Arts & Commerce College, S N Iyer, said that Amdavadi youths rarely read books that don’t concern their academic curriculum. “College students’ inability to answer simple GK Questions is a matter of great concern. Efforts need to be made to encourage them to read and explore new things,” he said. “Schools should also spark curiosity among kids and prod them to learn about national and international affairs.”
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, January 20, 2010
♦ Which country is the world’s largest producer of milk? It’s India.
A fifth-grader can give this answer in a twinkling, but several college-going students couldn’t even after cudgelling their brains for more than an hour. Amdavadi youths’ poor general knowledge was exposed when LD Arts College conducted a surprise test recently.
Of the 130 students who took the multiple-choice GK test, only eight managed to give enough correct answers to pass the 90-minute exam. This outcome left the college’s principal, Mahipatsinh Chawda, and academics Mirror spoke to completely stunned.
“This is the level of basic knowledge among college-goers. It’s quite shocking,” he said. “I decided to conduct such a test for our students because I suspected that they were not reading enough to increase their general knowledge.”
Chawda said that the 75 questions of the test — which was held on January 11 — were related to current affairs, literature, theology, geography, economics, sports, films, and Indian history, among other topics.
Questions were tough
To be fair to the 130 youngsters, several questions were tough and can humble even those who bandy about their stellar results in IQ tests. However, some were relatively easy. For instance, what is the main crop of India? A: Wheat. B: Rice: C: Jowar or D: Corn. The answer, the college says, is option B.
“All students in our college scored at least 60 per cent in their class X exams. Yet, of the 130 who appeared for the test, only eight cleared it by scoring 36 marks. Imagine the level of general knowledge among students of colleges that admit even those with poor SSC result,” Chawda said. “We are trying to create awareness among our students that GK is a key requirement for securing good jobs.”
According to the LD Arts principal, youths from Gujarat struggle to clear UPSC exam and other competitive tests because they ignore current affairs and other primary subjects.
“There are some youngsters who focus only on improving their English language skills. While this is a good step, they should not ignore GK. In an interview, a firm may excuse an applicant for speaking poor English, but may not show leniency when it comes to possessing fundamental facts,” he said.
Students’ poor GK worries academics
The principal of RH Patel Arts & Commerce College, S N Iyer, said that Amdavadi youths rarely read books that don’t concern their academic curriculum. “College students’ inability to answer simple GK Questions is a matter of great concern. Efforts need to be made to encourage them to read and explore new things,” he said. “Schools should also spark curiosity among kids and prod them to learn about national and international affairs.”
