The Central Board of Secondary Education answers questions relating to its examinations from The Hindu's readers. Readers are welcome to send in more questions, primarily those relating to the Class X and XII examinations, to cbsehelp@thehindu.co.in, which will be forwarded to the CBSE. Answers to a select number of them will be published in these columns in subsequent instalments. The purpose of this series is also to help students overcome examination-related stress.
My son is repeating Class XII Mathematics as a private student, and we are yet to receive the Hall Ticket. When will the Chennai Region start despatching the hall tickets? We had sent mails to the Chennai region but are yet to receive a reply.
A. Jacob, Ernakulam
Hall Tickets for private candidates have already been despatched. They will be receiving the same soon.
My son's mother name in the mark sheet has been printed as Mrs. Kalpana instead of Mrs. Karpagam. Please let us know the address and details of contact person in Chennai to get the mark sheet amended.
K. Raviprakash
Please contact The Assistant Secretary (M&M), CBSE, Regional Office, 1630-A, J-Block, 16th Main Road, Anna Nagar(W), Chennai-600 040, along with the required documents. (You may please visit our website www.cbse.nic.in for further information.)
I am to going to appear for Class X11 exams in Tamil Nadu. Please let me know the names of colleges whose admission is based on the CBSE marks, and also the entrance exams other than IITJEE and AIEEE.
Ganesan Balamurugan
All the universities and institutions run by the State or Central government in Tamil Nadu are accepting the CBSE marks. As for the list of entrance exams other than IITJEE and AIEEE, no such list is available with CBSE.
How is CGPA for Class X calculated? In how many subjects should a student obtain A1 to get 10.0 points? What is upgrading of marks?
Sukrit Patil
Overall grades obtained by a student in different subjects are converted into grade points according to the scheme communicated to the schools. All these grade points are added and the average of the total is taken to get cumulative grade print average called CGPA.
A student should obtain A1 grade in all the five main subjects in order to get a CGPA of 10.
I'm studying Class X at Chinmaya Vidhyalaya, Kudhanbagh, Hyderabad. I have doubts regarding the points to be earned for upgrading in my final exams. I've actively participated in nearly 15 ECA events out of which I won four and came runners-up in two. I was informed that there would be a few points added to the subjects and the grade upgraded if the relevant certificates are submitted to my class in-charge.
Surya Eluri
The related circular No. 10 dated February 10, 2011 was issued by the Board and all affiliated schools were expected to follow the scheme. The circular is available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in and includes detailed information in this regard. Another revised circular No.09 dated January 19, 2012 has also been issued by the Board effective for students studying in Class-IX during the ongoing session 2011-12.
Are there margins in the CBSE answer sheet? On Page 36 of the NCERT Class XII Biology textbook, under section ‘2.4.3 - Seed', it is not clear if the ‘false fruit' is only formed by the thalamus or by both the thalamus and the ovary. It says that ‘the thalamus also contributes to fruit formation', but in the diagram of false fruit of apple on Page 37, parts like endocarp and mesocarp (that originate from the ovary) are mentioned, indicating false fruits are also formed from the ovary. Please clarify.
Kanav Saraf X
The CBSE answer sheet does not have side margins.
Take the example of an apple to clarify the concept of a false fruit. In it, the ovary forms the fruit but it is not edible. The edible part of the fruit is contributed by the thalamus. Since the ovary does not contribute to the edible part of the fruit, that latter is referred as false fruit. Page 36 last para line 3 mentions thalamus also contributes to fruit formation. The diagram on Page 37 shows parts of ovary.
It means that in true fruits only ovary contributes to fruit formation where as in false fruits both ovary and thalamus contribute to fruit formation, such that only thalamus contributes to the edible part of the fruit.
I'm a Class X student. I'm interested in science, to be precise biology, but the school I'm opting for next year offers courses in Bio-Maths or Bio-Computers. The problem is that I'm neither interested in maths nor in computer!
Gopika Santhosh
Biology directly relates to life and related aspects like health, food production, medicine etc. Measurement and qualification of different components is important to use the knowledge from study of biology. The combination of Bio-Maths/Bio-Computers would have a better scope as career options.
My daughter is in Class XII. Please guide us in selection of the courses in IIT/AIEEE considering the job opportunities.
Subramanian. T
Since the student is already studying in Class XII, subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics must have been opted by her. You may refer to professionals/experts in IITs or other technical institutes for further guidance.
I am a student of Class X. 1. In the chapter ‘Heights and distances' should I by heart all the values of the Trigonometry table? 2. In the chapter ‘Carbon and its compounds' should I study all the bonding? 3. I have lots of reference books and question papers. Will any problem be a repeated in the future papers? 4. I have scored 65/80 in maths and 69/80 in Hindi in the first semester. Is there a chance of me getting A+ (10 points) in all subjects?
H. Vignesh Nair
1. You have to understand the procedure for obtaining values of Trigonometric Tables instead of learning by heart. 2. Understand the concept of bonding. There is no need to memorise anything. 3. Reference books and question papers help in practising, which further helps in attempting examination paper. 4. If you study well and prepare yourself for the examination then you can get A+ in all the subjects.
Will our all-India rank or State rank be considered for AIEEE? Why is the category rank provided for?
Sheetal Mary
Admission criteria is prepared by the CCB/institution concerned according to merit and rules. CBSE has no role to grant admission on the basis of all-India rank/ State rank.
Category rank is provided to grant admission in institution concerned according to the rules of Central/ State government/Institutions concerned.
I am a student of Class X, Rex School, Ooty. Can I switch from CBSE to State board after finishing Class X if I've opted for school-based SA 2 exam?
Venu Krithish
As there is no difference in the school-based assessment certificates issued by CBSE for the Board-conducted and school-conducted Summative examination, the child can seek admission to a State board school depending on its admission policy. But if one wants to change the board, then you should opt for Board-conducted Summative Examination II.
I'm in Class XII, having non-medical science. I'm facing some problems in Physics and I want to know if solving the NCERT questions and CBSE sample papers is sufficient to score good marks?
Bhawana Arora
Solving NCERT questions and CBSE Sample Question Papers will definitely help you in scoring good marks. Besides these you should study the NCERT book thoroughly.
I am in Class XII. I would like to know if the following topics are included for the exam:
Chemistry
Unit 3: Electrochemistry: corrosion; Unit 5: Surface Chemistry: catalysts: homogenous and heterogeneous, activity and selectivity; enzyme catalysis; Unit 7: The p-Block elements: Group 15 elements: oxides of nitrogen- structures. Group 16 elements: dioxygen: preparation, properties and uses; preparation, properties and uses of sulphur dioxide. Group 17 elements: preparation, properties and uses of chlorine
Unit 10: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes: Freons, DDT
Physics
Chapter 9: Ray optics: Human eye and power of accommodation
Anu Environ
Chemistry
Unit-3: Corrosion is not included. Unit-5: None of them is included. Unit-7: The p-Block elements: Group 15 elements: oxides of nitrogen are included but structures is not included. Group 16 elements: dioxygen: preparation, properties and uses is not included, preparation is not included but properties and uses of sulphur dioxide is included. Group 17 elements: None of them is included
Unit-10: All of them are included
Physics
Chapter 9: None of them is included
In the Chapter ‘Heredity and Evolution' for Class X, there is a question, “Only variations that confer a survival advantage survive in a population.” Do you agree with this statement?
Mohammad Zaki
The statement mentioned by you is different from the one given in the NCERT Class X Science textbook. The statement however is “Only variations that confer an advantage to an individual will survive in a population.” Do you agree… (Page 159 Q.12).
In the book, Page 159 mentions question no.12 as “variations that confer an advantage to an individual organism will survive in a population”. Do you agree with this statement?
The answer to the NCERT question would be, ‘no' because it may be true that variations that confer an advantage to an individual organism will survive in a population but in addition, there may also be variations that may be disadvantageous for an individual but these ensure reproductive success of the population. Even such variations are favoured and propagate in a population.
Which book is prescribed for Class X students who have opted for Arabic as optional language?
Maryam aligarh
Minhajul Taleem-al Sanvi, Class X.
I am in Class XII. In NCERT Chemistry book, the preface says that the Boxed material with a deep yellow bar is non- evaluative. But in text, questions are given from the boxes. Will these questions be asked in the exam?
Vaibhav Patni, Kendra Vidyalaya, Indore.
In class XII Chemistry book, Boxed Material with a deep yellow bar is non evaluative in Board Examination.
I am in Class XI Arts stream and have taken Maths as an optional subject and am regretting it. I have been struggling with it, and my aggregate in the half-yearly exam went down from 94 per cent to 86 per cent because of Maths. Can I change my subject from Maths to Hindi? Also, my school does not provide political science as a subject but I would prefer studying it.
Boijayanti Sarker
Change of subject in Class XI is permitted by the school principal only till October 31 of that academic session.
Thereafter no candidate is permitted to change his/her subject of study. The student can opt for Political Science only if it is offered by the school.
I am a Class XII science student. Please clarify: 1. Is Dopplers Effect, Working of the Human eye and Nuclear reactor included for Class XII Physics? 2. Are chain effects of demand and supply included in Economics? 3. Is interest paid on loans by an individual a part of domestic income of a country?
Harshi Kher
1. In Physics, Doppler's Effect is not included, Working of the Human eye is not included, but Nuclear Reactor is included for Class XII.
2. Under ‘unit one market equilibrium', the student must know the process of achieving market equilibrium when demand and supply change.
3. No, because it is loan taken for consumption purpose and not for production purpose.
