More than 3,800 to sit for the Preliminary Examination

It is preliminary round to test to sit for civil service examination

This year, 3,884 graduates will appear for preliminary examination (PE) that is scheduled next sunday.

Overall, the trend shows a decrease by 143 candidates as compared to last year which registered 4,027 candidates.

PGDPA category has the highest number of graduates registered for PE with 1207 followed by PGDFM and Technical categories with 980 and 1138 candidates respectively. There are 378 PGDE candidates while Dzongkha category comprises of 181.

Jigme Norbu, the examination officer of RCSC, however said that candidates will be given the option to change their category of examination during documents verification before the main examinations based on their preference and eligibility.

He also said the total number of vacancies for BCSE 2017 was only 494.

Meanwhile it is  learnt that the candidates appearing for PE said that evaluation for PE paper, mainly the shading part, was unfair.

Jigme Norbu, in response to the statement, said given the large number of graduates appearing for PE and to maintain accuracy of the evaluation, the RCSC has embraced use of modern technology to evaluate answer sheet of the PE by ‘Optical Mark Reader’ (OMR) machine. “The machine is error free and highly reliable.

“However, the candidates are required to shade the corresponding circles of their choices as per the instruction provided on the sheet. A video tutorial on using OMR answer sheet is also available on our website to guide the candidates. The procedure is very simple,” Jigme added.

He also said the selection and recruitment of graduates into the civil service through BCSE are entirely based on the principle of meritocracy through fair and competitive examinations.

Sonam Yangzom, a graduate from Sikkim who has appeared PE before, said that she has been preparing for PE for a month, referring past question papers as well as reading relevant materials from the internet. “I think PE is very important test in for graduates as it gives a level playing field for every candidate and only the good and deserving will be recruited,” Sonam Yangzom said.

Likewise Nim Dema, who graduated from Sherubtse College this year, said that she is currently attending PE classes for Data and Problem solving in Central for professional Development.

Nonetheless, she said the PE was not necessary because one’s ability cannot be measured through 100 multiple choice questions. Moreover, most of students who are capable in a particular field land up in some other field.

“I think it is better to select the candidates as per their area of studies rather than selecting through PE. I have also seen many capable students not being able to get through PE,” she said.

However she thinks that the government lacks specialist in particular department since students capability are measured from 100 multiple choice questions which really was not authentic.

 Sangay Zangmo, a graduate from Geddu College of Business, said that she is preparing for exam by doing self-study and attending classes too. “I think PE is necessary because it will minimize our competition to reach to a next level. The questions are also designed in such a way that it creates a level playing field for all.”

Pema Sangay, another graduate from Gaeddu College, said: “I was privileged to attend two weeks classes for the preparation of PE organized by our college after the final exam. PE is also crucial and necessary so as to filter out less competitive ones.”

There were 4027 candidates dates in 2016 followed by 3647 in 2015 and 3305 in 2014 sitting for the PE. The preliminaries are scheduled for August 6 this year.