[Points: University examination—a terrible experience—the scene in the beginning at the middle—towards the end—conclusion.]
University examinations are terrible experience to the students. The candidates do not know if the questions will be easy or stiff. Many are uncertain whether they will pass or fail. Hence there is an uneasy expectancy among all students taking the examination. On the appointed day the candidates come in large numbers to the examination centre. Some gather in knots and discuss probable questions. Some glance through their note books and refresh their memories. Some again stand apart with grave faces. As the gate opens the candidates rush to take their seats. Some five minutes before the schedule the invigilators enter with packets of question papers. Answer scripts are then distributed among the candidates and they at once fall to writing their names, roll and registration numbers on the title page of the scripts.
On the stroke of ten, as the bell rings, the question papers are handed to the candidates. They are read hurriedly from top to bottom, and the faces of the candidates quickly change. Some become white through nervous fear; some are dazed. Some look blankly at the ceiling. Some beam with satisfaction: A sudden hush falls upon the hall. Only the soft, slow sound of the invigilators' foot steps can be heard. It is seen that some are biting their pens and writing nothing. Some are writing out the answers with ease, while some others are scribbling something with knitted brows.
As time moves on, a candidate în corner rises and wants a glass of water in a feeble voice. The bearers are always on the run to supply what the students want. Some are restive and fidget all the time, looking this way or that. Some leave the hall midway mur muring that the questions are unusually stiff. Some of the students try to whisper some answers and are promptly warned. Some again scribble something on a piece of blotting paper and try to pass it on to others. They are sharply rebuked and pulled up. Time is wear ing away rapidly. Half an hour is to go when the final bell rings.
An air of anxiety seems to descend on the hall. Some have finished writing their answers and are revising them. Some of them find that several questions are yet to be answered, they look flurried. One candidate in his nervousness faints outright, and is taken out of the room. The bearers are seen moving round the benches with thread and needle to stitch loose sheets.
At long last the time is over and there is a sudden ruffle in the clam atmosphere. The answer scripts are collected, Some pray for one minute's extension to finish the lines they have begun. But the plea is ignored and the papers are sometimes pulled away.
When the examination is over, the examinees gradually stream out of the hall. Some of them, however, behave in a strange man ner. They thump the benches and shout curses on the paper-setters. Some again complain that the invigilators were unnecessarily rude to them. While some hotly discuss the questions, some others wear long faces as they learn that their answers have been wrong. In the varying moods they melt away.
