THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the implementation of the four-year undergraduate program, all universities in the state are shifting to open-book exams. As a first step, the assessment based on academic achievement will be implemented in the first-semester examination in November. As part of the examination reforms, an on-screen re-evaluation will also be introduced this time.

It has been decided to bring all the universities under one umbrella using 'K-REAP' software by providing students with a unique identification document to store information from admission to exam results. Since it will take one more year to develop 'K-REAP' software, digital files will be introduced in universities till then. Colleges have been advised to prepare a protocol for conducting the examination. It has been directed to provide protocols for colleges to conduct the exams.

The first-semester examination will be conducted by the colleges themselves from November 2 to 22 as per the unified academic calendar. Colleges will reopen on December 2. Evaluation will take place during the holiday period after the exams. Colleges must conduct evaluations during working hours; closures during evaluation periods are prohibited. Exam results will be announced by December 22.