12/08/2024
To:
The Chairman,
Sindh Public Service Commission,
Hyderabad.
Subject: Re-Conduct of CCE 2023 Screening Test
Dear Sir,
I am writing to express the deep dissatisfaction and disappointment felt by myself and many other candidates regarding the CCE 2023 Screening Test conducted on August 10, 2024. The test has not only raised significant concerns but also called into question the fairness and transparency of the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). Negative marking, confusing question patterns, and an unbalanced distribution of subjects have undermined the integrity of the exam.
It is with great frustration that I highlight the following grievances:
Vagueness of Syllabus Guidelines: The screening test blatantly disregarded the syllabus outlined by SPSC. The announced subjects included English, Maths and Analogy, Everyday Science, Pakistan Affairs, and Current Affairs. It was expected that each of these subjects would carry fair weightage. However, the actual distribution of questions was grossly unbalanced:
Inconsistent Test Pattern: The imbalance in question distribution heavily favored certain subjects, particularly Pakistan Affairs, which received undue emphasis. This is a clear violation of the principle of just representation of subjects in the screening test.
Very High Difficulty Level of Screening Test: The sole purpose of screening process is to filter out the potential candidates who are serious aspirants of competitive exams. Given the sheer toughness of the test paper which is evident from the ratio of failed candidates, many talented students become devoid of sitting in written part of this exam.
Confusing Question Patterns: The inclusion of 22 General Knowledge questions, negative marking, and the provision of five options for each question (including the confusing "None of these" option) are detrimental to a fair assessment process. These factors contribute to unnecessary failure among capable and hardworking candidates, leading to a demoralizing experience.
Unjust Passing Criteria: The passing criteria employed by SPSC are excessively stringent and do not reflect the intent of a screening test. In contrast, the CSS MPT test has a passing score of 66 out of 200 MCQs, with no negative marking. This system is more reasonable and provides a fair opportunity for all candidates. The current SPSC test pattern (50 % passing criteria with negative marking) appears to be designed to eliminate rather than filter candidates, which is entirely counterproductive.
The impact of these issues is evident in the staggering failure rate, with more than 90% of candidates unable to pass the screening test. This is not a reflection of the candidates' abilities but rather of the flawed and unjust testing process implemented by SPSC.
In light of these grievances, I, along with countless other candidates, demand that the CCE 2023 Screening Test be re-conducted. The current test pattern and approach by SPSC are unacceptable and must be rectified to restore the credibility of the commission.
We trust that SPSC will take immediate action to address these concerns and ensure that future exams are conducted in a manner that is fair and just. Failure to do so will only further erode the trust and confidence that candidates have in the SPSC.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to a prompt and positive response.
Sincerely,
CCE Aspirant
