IAMM AP CHAPTER GUIDELINES SERIES : INTRODUCTION

One scenario :

“What did you see in the smear”

“Gram positive cocci in clusters sir”

“Did you do hanging drop”

“No sir”

“WHY…..?! who told you not to do?....(gives a scornful look at the internals and says,) OK. Name some motile cocci”

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Another scenario :

“What did you see in the smear”

“Gram positive cocci in clusters sir”

“Did you do hanging drop”

“Yes  sir.. they are nonmotile”

“WHY…..?! who told you to do the hanging drop ? ?....(gives a scornful look at the internals and says,)  you are wasting time and resources. Are there any pathogenic cocci that are motile ? NO. then why did you do. ”

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Everybody who are attending the PG practical examinations regularly (as a facilitating faculty/internal or as a candidate..!) would have witnessed such conversations. Leave alone the confusions in the diagnostic microbiology.

The already tense exam-going PGs are exposed to several such ambiguities. Ambiguities, right from the Gram staining. And different colleges in the state, different batches in the college, different faculty have different opinions even on simple things (the paradox is, even 12th edition of Cruickshank differs from 14th ed in certain issues.Koneman gives different version from other books in some aspects. Bailey and scott or Monica Cheesbrough adds to variety). Let the ambiguities persist in the science.. that is quiet natural and needed too for testing and trying different variables in varying situations. But, as far as examinations are concerned, the ambiguity may cost the degree and put the candidate in undue or unreasonable stress.

In this context, IAMM AP Chapter publishes certain suggestions regarding the split-up and distribution of marks in the  PG practical examinations, submitted by Dr. P.Sreenivasulu Reddy, Professor of Microbiology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore. These are based on regular NTRUHS exam pattern with further elaboration of the split up of marks.  All are requested to go through the file and please submit your comments and suggestions (either through comments in the blog directly  or through email to iammapchapter@yahoo.co.in).

  

click here to go to the guidelines series published by IAMM AP CHAPTER

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A comment  that appeared  on the guidelines, for information to visitors of this blog : 
(July 1, 2013 at 3:45 PM)

Dear....I should congratulate you for the concern and admire you for your initiative. Any attempt to set things move in the proper direction is always 'WELCOME' But something puzzles me....

HOW DO YOU RATE THE TRAINING YOU HAVE RECEIVED AS A POST GRADUATE?

IF YOUR ANSWER IS SATISFACTORY .......

THEN WHY ARE WE FEELING THAT THE SAME SYSTEM OF EXAMINATION NEEDS A REVAMP?

THE FAULT IS NOT WITH THE SYSTEM BUT WITH THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE GOVERNING THE SYSTEM.

CAN WE DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THIS FIRST?

Ofcourse YES, if only we have people like you who recognizes the problem! Keep it up
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My reply :

Thank you for your comments and compliments;
I rate the training I have received as a Postgraduate as 'satisfactory' in the given settings and available facilities in those days.

And, it is not the reason to stop or start any innovative activity. There will always be a scope for improvement even for the so called best circumstances. We can always work on improving the circumstances or the training we give for the students. That is an incessent process...!

And, I dont want to revamp any....I am not that big. I am a tiny creature in the whole big system. My intention is just to throw some light on the existing ambiguities in the examination system.
As you mentioned, the fault may not be with the system. but, it is the system we all passed through...and watching our juniors to pass through. we have to watch the same for several more years to come.

We can not help with the individual attitudes of either the examiners or the students. Nobody can help it. It will be ONLY the individual introspection that brings about change in their attitudes..not any other external force.
A change in the smaller things will gradually reflect in course of time as a major change in the system . I am a strong believer of this concept.

With this, I request you and other seniors to please provide strength to pursue the goal, by providing your valuable suggestions and guidance.

You may be too modest to not to mention your name, but we will be more happy if we could know who are leaving the comments. And even more happy to get your blessings in my endeavours.- with regards- Dr. D.S.Murty  
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click here to go to the guidelines series published by IAMM AP CHAPTER