The number of students who will take Delhi University's online exam for environmental studies this year will go up to 3,281, an official said Friday.

According to A.K. Bakshi, director of the Institute for Lifelong Learning in the university, 2,300 students appeared for the online exam in 2009. This year's exam is due June 9.

"Since it's a qualifying paper, all the questions will be multiple choice type," Bakshi told IANS. The subject falls under BSc. Life Sciences.

There will be 50 multiple choice type questions to be tackled in 60 minutes. There will be no subjective questions.

"We are developing the online exam mode of assessment gradually. In the near future we hope to include more subjects. Computer Based Test can become an integral part of examination reforms," he added.

Unlike last year when the exam was held in just three colleges, this year it will be held in seven colleges.

"The exam will be held in two or three centres in one day. The questions will be changed for different batches," Bakshi said.

"The only disadvantage now is that without subjective questions, it's difficult to assess the writing skills of a student. But we are working on that as well," he added.