The test lasted for two hours and ended at 11 Am.
Everyone was intelligent enough, and no one argued for more time as past examples showed what happens when you do that. And a wise man learns from other's mistakes.
They designed the test in such a way that you would not be able enough to complete it. Allen considered it stupid.
Allen solved majority of the questions and would have almost finished, well never really.
The examiners scattered and were waiting for the test results. And someone even come to Allen for small talk but he politely refused his company.
Meanwhile, the examiners were nowhere. In the past they would announce the result the moment the test ended.
This time, maybe because of the test being unusual, the examiners were personally checking results marked by the A.I.
Five examiners determining results of thousands of candidates may seem awfully time consuming.
The wait would soon end and they would announce result as the examiners would only check first 100 people as even if A.I. marks wrong, the variation would not be much.
Allen was also sitting nearby waiting for test results with nothing better to do. So he started thinking about the main question in the test.
One should know that even with current technology mysteries of DNA were marvelous and heart palpitating. So there must be a special reason for the question. Otherwise you could never enter an institution such as this by just answering a single question right.
"Has the institution resumed its old research?" Allen thought.
The institution has a long history behind it. And it has gotten results in everything except genetic study. The most recent attempt at genetic study named "Evo" been over 50 years ago which ended without completing its goal.
Allen stopped reflecting about the test as he noticed a vibration on his wrist. He saw a message alert on his digital watch.
He got a mail from the institute congratulating him on passing and telling him to wait for examiners
to come to them.
Allen confidence that he would pass the examination but still got happy when he looked at the news.
You could tell who passed and who failed by checking the expressions of the examinees. They have used much of their time for it but failed, who would not be disappointed and sad in their situation. Institute also taken tests like Health and Fitness test, talent test in various fields of Biology, etc. So people who come this far were a single step away from crossing the bridge, But alas it was also the most crucial step. It doesn't matter if they passed all previous tests, if they lagged others in this, they are not welcome here.
All candidates except those who passed left quietly.
One examiner came again to ask the candidates who passed to follow him.
Allen and the other candidates who had passed followed behind him. Soon they arrived at the place where other examiners were gathered.
Head examiner turned his head towards us and his always strict face because somewhat amicable.
He said "Congratulations to all of you for passing. Now you all are officially a researcher of the institute. Your tasks will be assigned to you after you report to the institute. You have a rest time of one week. If you have any further questions you may ask right now."
One of the candidate raised his hand and said "Sir, I saw that the main question this time was genetic study. Has project "Evo" restarted?"
Though Allen the same question, he did not ask because even if it restarted it doesn't mean much to him. He was only curious and nothing else. All he had to do was complete tasks assigned to him.
Head examiner looked at the candidate who spoken and said "Nice observation. My name is Steven and i am personal attendant of the President of the institute. You can directly report to me a week later"
Though Steven didn't say it explicitly. His meaning was pretty clear.
Some candidates who guessed the same thing but not spoken started to regret it. After all if they not hesitated but spoken their mind this opportunity would have been their. Unfortunately even with advanced technology a pill for regret has not been made. They could only lament and forget about it.
Allen also regretted it slightly, if he spoken he would have clearly risen through ranks faster. But it may also not be a good thing. And one can not go the past. So he stopped thinking about it altogether.
The candidates asked some simple questions and then bid the examiners farewell.
Allen went outside and saw that the weather was bad. The test undergone in a isolated area to ensure that the best environment be provided to examinees.
So he didn't know when the weather changed. He could also choose to go home
after the rain stopped. But he did not want to do that.
He went to the station and waited somewhat impatiently. Allen boarded the bus as soon as it arrived.
Due to bad weather, people would have stayed inside their houses and most of the people travelling would prefer to take shelter instead of soaking in the rain.
Resultantly, Allen was the only one on the bus right now. The official result would usually be announced after a short wait. His sister knew about the test today and would be watching the result right now.
He was eager to share his happiness with her. The bus reached at its destination within no time. There was still a long path to his house from here. Allen disembarked hurriedly and started walking towards his house. In the way, the thought of telling his sister the good news personally which made him faster and faster.