Kolkata, Sept. 23
The question paper pattern of Central Board of Secondary Education has been overhauled focussing on objective-type questions for its Class-X and XII examinations with effect from next academic year. The Board also plans to launch grading system for Class-X examinations as soon as it gets the green light from the ministry of human resource development.
For the first time, in 2008, examinees will have to appear for their Board examinations under a new curriculum. At the same time, to maintain a balance between speed and accuracy ~ for students to complete their papers comfortably, the typology and design of the question papers have undergone major alterations. Objective-type questions find more importance in the papers. Shifting from the idea of multi-choice question, where students have to choose the correct answer from the multiple options, under the new system, they have to write their own answers.
Twenty per cent of the questions will be based on higher order thinking skills (Hots) which will test their abilities in thinking and analysis rather than pure bookish knowledge. Chairman of the CBSE, Mr Ashok Ganguly, said that objective-type questions were aimed at getting the correct picture of a student's performance. That part will delve into their minds through fundamental questions instead of those from text books. "Since our aim is not to make students only academically strong, the paper has been designed in a manner that will need a synchronisation of head, heart and hand,” he said.
He also stressed that under the new pattern, examinees would have to attempt all questions. There may be internal options, for example, question No-1 might have two options ~ that is 1a and 1b ~ and the examinees could answer anyone. A specimen of the new version of question papers is already available on the Board's website.
The Board chairman also observed that a holistic idea about a student was possible only through a continuous and comprehensive evaluation process, which included internal assessment, abolishment of marks and introduction of grading system. Mr Ganguly added that the Board already designed a model for introduction of grading system in Class-X exams but was awaiting a final nod from the MHRD.
He added that internal assessment had already started in subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Social Science in Class-IX and Class-X. While five-point grading system is already in Class-III and Class-V, it is seven-point grading system in Class-VI and Class-VIII.
