New Delhi:
Most states that want to hold the CBSE Class 12th board exams seem to prefer a "short" or "truncated" version of the tests.
The Central Board of Secondary Education presented it as one of two possibilities at a meeting of Union and state ministers on May 23 to discuss holding the exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first option was to hold CBSE 12th board exams in the traditional manner at specified exam centres, but only for 19 "major" subjects, with students' performance in the "minor" courses being graded based on their performance in the 19. The states, on the other hand, appear to be opposed to this, with the CBSE stating in a presentation to ministers, including Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank, that if the Covid situation persists, it may not be "feasible" to conduct the exams, as it will take at least three months to organize. The majority of states seemed to be against it.
The "shorter duration," or reduced version of the exams is the second option. The CBSE presentation to the ministers on Sunday stated, "There is flexibility in this approach as the exam will be conducted in two phases, will be at own schools and will be of a shorter duration."
The information below is what the exams will be like if the CBSC decides to go with this "short duration" examination format.
Exams will be held at the same schools where students are enrolled and study in this option. They will not be required to travel to another examination centre. This is "to ensure safety of students", said the CBSE's presentation.
Instead of a three-hour-long exam, the duration will be shortened to 90 minutes.
Only the 19 major subjects will be evaluated in the 12th grade. Exams will be written in only one language and three elective subjects. Based on the four exams they write, they will be graded in the fifth and sixth subjects (if applicable).
The required syllabus for 2020-21 will be covered in question papers. In the case of CBSE, this is already 30% less than the syllabus in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting schools.
The questions will be of the type "multiple option type...based on the existing pattern of objective and very short answer type questions."
The CBSE could hold the Class 12 exams twice if this option is chosen.
Exams can start on an "appropriate day" if the conditions are conducive. They can begin elsewhere "after a fortnight after the first phase."
If a student is unable to take a test, they will be given another chance.
Exam centres will not require "elaborate logistics" to conduct exams because the papers will be provided in an electronic format.
The CBSE presentation did specify dates, with the first phase beginning on July 15 and the second beginning in early August, but there has been no determination on dates as of yet.