Just before the warning bell rings, the examination
hall assumes a scene of activity and noise. Here and there a few may be seen
devouring as much stuff as possible in the light of the latest suggestions. in
short all the impulses of youthful mirth, love, adventure have fled and
seriousness over-powers youthful humanity,
The ominous bell goes. The candidates enter the
hall and take their respective seats. Blank answer books are distributed and
examines fill in the cover page. And then the questions papers are handed out.
Suddenly comes a profound bull before a storm. Each examine grabs his paper and
runs his eyes through it. The suspense is over; now comes the scene of action
with pen and ink.
The scene during the progress of the examination
becomes very interesting. Here and there faces light up with happy smiles. It
is clear that the questions are within their knowledge.
Many look up at the ceiling or through the window
at the sky, vague and puzzled, as thought trying to remember the things which
they got by heart the night before. Some of them feel dryness in their throats
and feverishly call for water to drink. The smiling ones at once take to
writing out the answers that they had so carefully prepared; others also follow
their examples thought with less assurance. And very soon and for a long time
nothing is heard but the measured trade of the invigilator walking up and down
the rows of seats.
This continues for an hour or so. Then the
atmosphere somewhere relaxes. One calls for a glass of water and the water man
has to be busy for a time. Sometimes there is a commotion in the hail when a
student is caught red-handed with a piece of paper which he had kept concealed
with him.
As the three hours draw to a close, there is a
certain amount of excitement. Some made over the papers earlier and walk with. The
consciousness of day’s burden lifted. Many have, finished their work and are
busied with a hurried revision. There is some other who has still some
questions to answer. From time to time invigilators draw out the warning of the
passing time and then the final bell goes and the answers papers are
surrendered, snatched away and soon all candidates are leaving the hail,
laughing or chatting. As they come out of the hail, they feel a load is off
their head.