Setting question papers which defeat most students seems to have become an undesirable trend in India (“CBSE mulls over lenient evaluation of maths paper,” March 20). A question paper should optimally challenge students by testing their comprehension of mathematical fundamentals through carefully chosen objective-type questions, theory questions and problems. A paper that tests concepts, methods and applications need not necessarily be tough. If a student is optimally challenged by such questions, the examination can become an enjoyable experience.
Aravind Narasipur,Chennai
The CBSE Class XII maths paper conducted on March 18 was very tough, lengthy and traumatic and has practically destroyed the chances of students getting into professional courses across India. Maintaining a standard is agreeable but there have to be limits. Any question paper setter has to take an average or an above average student into account.
Srinivasan Radhakrishnan,Chennai
The Board cannot put out an IIT-level question paper and expect students to do well. It has no right to ruin the prospects of 17-year-old children. The allegation this year is that there were too many sub-questions and symbol errors in the maths and physics papers. What did the Board intend? Create great scholars and scientists overnight? The irony in all this is that globally, India does not rank high in terms of quality of education.
Gopal Sutar,Bengaluru
