Rajshahi University launches paperless exam system

Rajshahi University (RU) has introduced a ‘Paperless Exam System’, allowing students to sit for examinations digitally without answer scripts or printed question papers. The system also provides students with their results immediately after completing an exam.

The new system is initially being used in the university’s Information and Communication Engineering (ICE) Department. Third-year, second-semester students took a tutorial examination through the system on September 30, with university authorities planning to gradually introduce it in other departments as well.

The system was developed under the supervision of Professor Dr Md Hasnat Kabir, director of the university’s ICT Centre and acting controller of examinations. ICE Department fourth-year student Omar Faruk and master’s student Samiul Basir developed the platform.

The paperless system has separate integrated platforms for students, teachers and administrators. Students can answer multiple-choice and short questions online and, after submitting their exams, immediately view their results along with the correct answers and explanations for questions they answered incorrectly.

A question bank is also built into the system, allowing teachers to create questions and conduct multiple examinations more easily. Its automated assessment process is expected to reduce the time required for checking answer scripts while allowing faster publication of results and improving accuracy and transparency in evaluation.

For the administration, the system provides facilities for monitoring examinations, storing results and generating analytical reports. University officials said the system can reduce paper use, save time and ease administrative complications, making examinations faster, more organised and environmentally friendly.

Mahmudul Hasan Shanto, a student of the 2022-23 academic session in the ICE Department who took part in the paperless examination, said the system provided an experience comparable to an international-standard examination environment. He particularly liked the automatic start and end of the exam at the scheduled time and the immediate display of results.

“Both teachers and students will benefit from this system. It can also play an effective role in preventing cheating and ensuring accurate assessment.”

Another student from the same year, Manisha Afrin Tinni, described the e-exam system as helpful and effective. She said students can immediately see their results and identify which answers were wrong and what the correct answers were, giving them an opportunity to understand and correct their mistakes.

“The paperless examination system is easy and time-saving.”

Professor Md Hasnat Kabir, who oversees the system, said Rajshahi University is moving towards a more modern, transparent and effective examination process by replacing conventional paper-based assessments with technology-driven examinations. He said the system’s main features include paperless examination, faster result processing, immediate display of results after examinations, greater accuracy in result processing and easier management for students and teachers.

“Initially, the system has been introduced in the ICE Department. Depending on its effectiveness and success, there are plans to gradually introduce the Paperless Exam System in other departments of the university.”

Kabir added that universities, schools, colleges and other educational institutions could also use the system to conduct examinations, with its developers providing the necessary technical support.

Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam said the university administration has been working to reduce difficulties faced by students and is gradually bringing various university activities under automation. He said paperless examinations were introduced as part of efforts to make the examination system more transparent and reduce students’ difficulties.

“As part of this process, paperless examinations have been introduced to make the examination system more transparent and reduce students’ difficulties. There are plans to gradually bring other departments under this system as well.”

The vice-chancellor said another major benefit of the system is that students will need to develop computer skills to take examinations.

“This is an important and effective form of learning for them.”