When even high scorers opt for revaluation

Students who have scored over 90% are trying to boost scores for admission

Competitive scenario:Over the past couple of years, the trend of toppers opting for revaluation has become more pronounced —File Photo

V. Nikhil was sure that he would get a centum in mathematics in the Class XII examinations. So he was disappointed to see that he had received only 197. While he was content with his overall total, he decided to apply for revaluation for the mathematics paper.

Along with Nikhil, many students across the State who have scored more than 195 in papers have started to apply for revaluation to try and push up their totals so they can get in to better colleges.

“I have applied for the scanned copy of my exam paper, but I am sure that I should have gotten a centum in mathematics. If I can manage to get three extra marks, my physics, chemistry and mathematics total will be 480,” Nikhil explained, adding that the three additional marks could mean a better course, or a better college through counselling.

This is not a trend only for science, though. K. Anusuya, who was one of the Tiruvallur district toppers scored 190 in English. According to the principal of Sri Venkateshwara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, where she studied, she was expecting at least three marks more. “The entire school is glad she got a State rank, and we have been training her for a year. We are sure she will get an additional three marks when we give the paper for revaluation,” he said.

Over the past couple of years, the trend of toppers and students who have scored over 190 marks giving their papers for revaluation has increased, a senior official said. “Around 10 per cent of the students give their answer scripts for revaluation. Last year, over 89,000 students applied,” he said.

While many of them continue to be students who have scored just below the pass mark in certain subjects, since the pass percentage in the State is so high, an increasing number of students have been applying for revaluation to get centums, or push their score up by a few marks to increase their total. Around 5 per cent of the papers we get for revaluation have scores of over 90 per cent, he added.

The Directorate of Government Examinations has set up an information booth on the DPI campus for students who would like to obtain a scanned copy of their exam papers, or apply for revaluation. With the competition for entry into Tier I colleges being extremely high, more students like Nikhil and Anusuya will be forced to apply for revaluation.