For Class 12 Boards, CBSE proposes short duration exams
New Delhi, May 23 (PTI): The Centre is likely to favour a short duration exam — 90 minutes instead of 3 hours — for the Class 12 board exams and state boards will be allowed to take their own decision on the matter, sources said after a meeting of a group of ministers this afternoon, led by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The meeting was held amid objections to exams from several states, which cited the health risk to teachers and students.During a presentation made at the meeting, the Central Board of Secondary Education suggested two options and a “flexible approach” for the exams, which were postponed in view of the second wave of Covid infection. Under the first option, the exams can be conducted within a period of three months — one month of pre-exam activities and two months for the exams and declaration of results. Another 30 days will be allowed for the compartment exams. Exams will be held only for major subjects and marks for minor subjects will be allotted on basis of performance in the major subjects.
August could be a likely month for holding these exams, and the whole process is likely to go on till end September, the board said. The exams will be of three-hour duration and held at designated centes.
Under the second option, 90-minute exams — instead of the usual three-hour version — will be held in 19 major subjects. The students have to appear in one language and three elective subjects only. Based on their performance in these subjects, the result of fifth and the sixth subjects, as the case may be, will be assessed. The exams will be held at designated and limited number of exam centres.
The students can take the exams at their own schools. “As the question papers will be delivered in electronic format to the centres, these exams do not need elaborate logistics and can be deployed and conducted in a flexible and responsive manner,” the CBSE said in their suggestions.
The second option suggests the exams can be held twice by the board. Wherever the conditions are conducive, examinations could commence from a suitable date.
