Vocabulary tests to judge merit!
In a modern society where language should never be a barrier, why is one bound to answer the English vocabulary questions to pass the language part of the IBA admission test? There is no denying the fact that English is an International language which one should be familiar with, to lead a sound professional life. A student can be tested for her/his analytical skill, technical skills and for other faculties. A good vocabulary in no way makes one intelligent. Before the admission test, students memorise a large number of words in SAT books. They only learn those words for the admission test, but forget those eventually!
I have seen the conversation of the Japanese Prime Minister with the US President Barack Obama on BBC. The Japanese Prime Minister was speaking in his own language, which was being transcribed to President Obama. So it's even alright if you are not familiar with a language, though it's better to learn the basics of English. But it simply doesn't mean that one has to have a wide vocabulary. A great institution like IBA should not judge its students on the basis of her/his strength of English vocabulary only.
Those who will sit for or have already sat for the IBA admission tests know that the language part demands strong vocabulary. To go through the huge 3500 SAT words list seems impossible, at least to me. So, I urge the IBA authorities to consider this. There might be different ways of judging English language skills of the students.
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