By Nowsheena Mushtaq

In India, competitive exams such as the National Eligibility Test eligibility Test and State Eligibility Test State are considered the gates for aspiring researchers and professors. Assessment of one’s ability for lectureship and research-the basic purpose of these exams- often raises the glory of intelligence. However, this is far from the truth. Intelligence encompasses many facets and cannot be drilled down to only standardized testing patterns. Many brilliant minds who carry an ardent desire for research and innovation are prevented onto this path due to the rigidity imposed by these examinations, which prioritize rote learning and speed over genuine interest.

An intelligent student may show excellent analytical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. However, such qualities may not have much significance for performance in time-bound examinations that are totally memory-based. Many brilliant researchers down the ages, including Albert Einstein, never fared well in conventional academic assessments. In India, where research as a culture is meant to go beyond those confines by exploring new ideas, these tests act as sundry filters rather than facilitators; thereby dismissing candidates with potential for great contributions, simply because their talents are........

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