Ten questions, CBSE’s answers

The Hindu In School ran this column every Wednesday through the month of February and in the first week of March. In the last of the series, we publish answers given by the CBSE to ten questions from students

Students from classes IX to XII sent questions which were answered by the CBSE.

1. Can a student appear for more than five subjects in Class XII?

Swetha P.,

Class XI, The Ashok Leyland School,

Hosur.

A. Yes, a maximum of six subjects may be taken.

2. Is there any official online repository for students to refer to all the previous years’ papers? It would be helpful if there is such a provision with the solutions.

Janani Mohanambiga G.,

Class XII, Jawahar Senior Secondary School,

Neyveli.

A. The sample question papers for 2015-16 for the subjects at secondary and senior-secondary level have been uploaded on the CBSE academic website. You may also refer to www.cbse.nic.in for question papers and marking schemes of some previous years’ main and compartment exams.

3. Is there a two-point upgrade in our total CGPA for the co-scholastic achievements this year too?

H.G. Purnima,

Class X, DAV Public School,

Velachery, Chennai.

A. For upgradation criteria, refer to the Circular No. 9/12 of 2012 available at cbse.nic.in.

4. Will the marks of class XI will be shown in the class XII certificate?

Siril Siju,

Class XI, Holy Grace Academy,

Kerala.

A. Only themarks of the subjects for which a candidate appears in class XII are reflected in the marksheet.

5. Why are the board exams conducted at the allotted centres and not at the students’ respective schools?

Surekha,

Class XI, Swami Sant Dass Public School,

Jalandhar.

A. It is a policy matter.

6. Can a black pen be used for writing titles and highlighting main points in the board exam?

Divya,

Class XII, Mantora Public School,

Kanpur.

A. It is preferable to highlight the main point/points by underlining it/them using a blue or blue-black ink pen.

7. What is the need for both grade and grade point?

Saketh,

Class IX, Ravindrabharathi School,

Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh.

A. Grades communicate the degree of subject-wise achievement of a student. These are awarded on a nine-point scale in terms of Grade Points.

8. I have taken six subjects. Can I drop one of them and make my optional subject as the main? If not, why?

Rajyavardhan Gupta,

Class XI, St. John’s Public School,

Chennai.

A. A minimum of five and a maximum of six subjects can be taken by a candidate at the senior school level. To pass, a candidate should obtain at least 33 per cent marks (in theory and practical separately) in five subjects as per the ‘Scheme of Studies’. In the case of dropping one subject and adopting an additional subject as the main subject, it should be taken care that the subjects chosen should be in accordance with the ‘Academic Stream’ quoted under 3.1 of the ‘Scheme of Studies’ mentioned in the Senior School Curriculum 2015-16 Main Subject/Volume - I.

9. How can I ask for a re-evaluation and obtain evaluated answer sheets?

Sreejesh S.,

Class X, Kendriya Vidyalaya Kanjikode,

Palakkad, Kerala.

A. The process for re-evaluation will be hosted on the Board’s website at the appropriate time.

10. Why was CCE introduced? I feel the system has not helped students and the standard has deteriorated.

Abir Pal,

Class XI, Army Public School,

R.K. Puram, Secunderabad.

A. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) was introduced to reduce examination-related stress among students and enhance their learning and life-skills. It is a system of assessment that covers all aspects of a student’s development and therefore leads to his/her holistic development.

(The series also appeared in Education Plus.)