MCQ Maths, Science, SS papers likely for Class 10
GSHSEB committee to submit report on multiple-choice question system by December
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, May 06, 2013 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2013050620130506020537468437f839f/MCQ-Maths-Science-SS-papers-likely-for-Class-10.html
By 2016, three SSC exam papers will contain just multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has set up a committee to explore the option of bringing other subjects under the MCQ model as well. Each year, 10 lakh students take exams in five core subjects — Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Science (SS) and two languages — with a 50:50 split between MCQs and essay-type questions. The new system does away with essay questions in the three non-language papers.
The 12-member GSHSEB committee is expected to submit a feasibility report on bringing other subjects under the MCQ system, which uses optical mark recognition (OMR), by December. GSHSEB chairman R R Varsani said, “The committee will study how to best implement the OMR system. We will also consider the views of parents and students before taking a decision.” Deepan Modi, whose daughter is in Class 10, said, “Making it all-MCQ may help with stress, but if GSEB really wants to reduce stress, it should make the Board exam optional for Class 10 students, as CBSE has done.” Since OMR uses a scanner to read markings, checking papers will take considerably less time.
In addition to making exams shorter, MCQs could also help students prepare for competitive exams. R S Patel, who heads Gujarat University’s education department, said, “Class 10 Board results aren’t given much importance in terms of applying for further studies, so why not reduce students’ stress levels? MCQs will make things easier, since the format will mean less writing.” However, not all educationists agree. Principal of St Xavier’s High School, Loyola Hall, Fernand Durai said, “Long answers help students to develop language skills and logical reasoning, so MCQs will not do for a subject like SS, where students need to explain what they have understood.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, May 06, 2013 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2013050620130506020537468437f839f/MCQ-Maths-Science-SS-papers-likely-for-Class-10.html
By 2016, three SSC exam papers will contain just multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has set up a committee to explore the option of bringing other subjects under the MCQ model as well. Each year, 10 lakh students take exams in five core subjects — Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Science (SS) and two languages — with a 50:50 split between MCQs and essay-type questions. The new system does away with essay questions in the three non-language papers.
The 12-member GSHSEB committee is expected to submit a feasibility report on bringing other subjects under the MCQ system, which uses optical mark recognition (OMR), by December. GSHSEB chairman R R Varsani said, “The committee will study how to best implement the OMR system. We will also consider the views of parents and students before taking a decision.” Deepan Modi, whose daughter is in Class 10, said, “Making it all-MCQ may help with stress, but if GSEB really wants to reduce stress, it should make the Board exam optional for Class 10 students, as CBSE has done.” Since OMR uses a scanner to read markings, checking papers will take considerably less time.
In addition to making exams shorter, MCQs could also help students prepare for competitive exams. R S Patel, who heads Gujarat University’s education department, said, “Class 10 Board results aren’t given much importance in terms of applying for further studies, so why not reduce students’ stress levels? MCQs will make things easier, since the format will mean less writing.” However, not all educationists agree. Principal of St Xavier’s High School, Loyola Hall, Fernand Durai said, “Long answers help students to develop language skills and logical reasoning, so MCQs will not do for a subject like SS, where students need to explain what they have understood.”
