Validity of Online Exams in Indian Universities During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of M.A Students at Bamu University

This paper tries to evaluate online exams at BAMU in the English Department among MA students. It aims to reveal validity of online exams conducted in the English department at the main campus. The researchers follow validity criteria commonly used in educational and psychological measurement. The researchers conducted a qualitative study. The data was collected using a close-ended questionnaire being administered to 57 students doing their master degree at BAMU University, English department, main campus. The gathered data was analyzed with SPSS software. Google forms were utilized in this study and the forms were distributed online. Results revealed that online exam conducted at BAMU has high validity in regard of exam’s time, exam’s directions, and coverage of syllabus. The finding also indicates that online exam conducted at BAMU has moderate validity in regard of easiness of online exam’s questions. Multiple logging in and logging out, technical problems, and limited malpractice lowered the validity of online exams. Unethical behavior and malpractice are due to the limited monitored nature of the online exams. The primary concern of supervisors and proctors is how to conduct online exams smoothly without technical problems and the secondary concern is how to proctor students. The drawback of online exams is the malpractice of some examinees and this problem is now global. Further research is recommended to compare the validity of online and offline exams during the pandemic so that a wider angle of this matter can be revealed more plainly.