EducationWorld

Board exams 2021: Here’s what students have to say

EducationWorld
Board exams 2021: Here's what students have to say
– Sukanya Nandy

With uncertainty looming over next year’s board exams, students from CISCE, CBSE, IB and state boards are confused about when to start preparing for the upcoming tests. Moreover, most schools are yet to complete the syllabus.

On December 10, the Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ conducted a live webinar addressing these concerns. He said that the CBSE board exam 2021 dates will be announced much before the commencement of exams and the practical exam will be held at the school level.

In case schools are not able to conduct practicals due to the pandemic, alternative arrangements will be made. Depending on the pandemic situation, an extension of board exam dates will be considered, he added.

Against this backdrop, EducationWorld spoke with students of various boards to know their views regarding the upcoming board exams. Here’s what they had to say:

Read: Class 10 and 12 board exams 2020-21 update

“In accordance with the Union education minister’s comments, I believe that CBSE exams shouldn’t be postponed next year. As for the on-going pandemic, we’ve had a significant 30 percent reduction of the syllabus, which makes it easier and more convenient for us to learn comparatively,” says Devanshi Mohan of Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow, who will be appearing for her class 10 exams. She adds, “Henceforth, procrastinating the board exams, to be held next year doesn’t assure any further convenience rather it would disturb the continuing change of new academic year for our preceding classes. So, in my opinion, hosting exams at the usual time would be beneficial.”

“I’d prefer offline exams online since it tests us for real. Children tend to chose unfair methods for online exams which nullify the concept of exams as it is a ‘test’ to check on ourselves and not merely a hunt for scores. Yes, it may be a compromise of children’s health but surely it won’t put our future at stake. Furthermore, I am pretty sure that by ensuring all the advised guidelines, it won’t be much of an issue,” adds Devanshi.

Harshavarthini, a class 10 student at the CBSE-affiliated Arya Gurukul, Kalyan, says, “I believe the exams should be held offline. Since all the other exams we had this year were held online and it hasn’t proved much efficient. From the school’s respect, most of the syllabus has been completed but I’m yet to start preparation. Hence, we would need some time for preparation. The exams are usually held in February end and a little postponement might help like in April/May.”

Ahana Basu Roy, a class XII Humanities student and school captain at La Martiniere for Girls, Kolkata says, “Certainly the situation of board exams is shrouded in uncertainty and anxiety for us students. We are eagerly waiting for the Council’s decision regarding the conduction of board exams next year. In the meantime, our focus now is to prepare for the pre-board examinations. 

We have also missed the most memorable year at school, which is the last year. We hope to return back to school at least for a few days to get accustomed. Since all our exams so far have been conducted online and would prefer to attend exams physically.”

She adds, “Students who do not belong to urban areas and have missed out on online classes, postponing the exams would be a feasible decision. It would help students, who belong to rural areas as it will give them extra time to prepare.”

Tulsi Fernandez, a class 12 student at the Bengaluru-based Greenwood High International School, which follows the IB curriculum says, “In case the board exams are not held at all, we will be marked on our internal assessment. Some students might be a little apprehensive about that as they get less of an opportunity to improve their grades if final exams are not conducted. If it’s safe and the situation permits, the students would prefer to take the exams. However, we have not considered whether exams should be taken online or offline.”

“I believe that schools must be commended for their adaptability and the quickness with which they shifted to virtual platforms. The lack of commute time has given me more time to focus on academics and an increase in asynchronous assignments has given me more practice for the exams. I personally wouldn’t want the exams to get postponed for these reasons. Having written online school exams, I am now acquainted with the procedure, but I’d still prefer to write my board exams in a classroom setting on campus as it is what I’ve grown accustomed to over the years, and because it minimises the scope for cheating and unfair practices,” says Sahana Athreya, Grade 12, Inventure Academy, Bengaluru.

Here’s what some Twitter users suggested:

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