Board tweaks pattern of HSC paper for 2019 exam

The state Board students of Maharashtra, currently studying in standard XI (Science) give their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, in 2019. It is based on a national framework as laid down by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) in India.

The pattern of question papers for physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics has been changed. So that the students fare better in entrance exams like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). Apparently, there will be no change in the present curricula.

Gangadhar Mhamane, the chairman of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Monday says that the entire question paper format has been changed so that our students can perform well in the national entrance tests. The question paper is being based on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) pattern.

Almost 20 percent of the questions will come under the “difficult” category in all four subjects, and around 50 % will be in the “average” category.

The Question papers give the weightage to the objectives with about 30 % testing the Students knowledge about the subject, and about 40 % testing their understanding of the subjects and the remaining testing based on their skills and ability to apply the concepts to solve questions.

Mhamane said that the difficulty level may go up. And Mhamane also said that “currently, we give a lot of options to students such as answering any three out of five questions. Now, the options may be less which will automatically increase the difficulty level. It is the thoroughness of the students’ preparation that will matter. We just want to ensure that they are prepared just like the Central Board students are for national- wide level exams like NEET and IIT JEE”

A detailed report on how it can be adapted for the HSC syllabus and how each topic can be given weightage was submitted to the state education board after the board of studies received the framework of questions from the CBSE.

The report, after being scrutinized by the expert committee within the state board, it was sent to the government and it was approved by the ministry on this month. It was said by the official circular from the central board.

The pattern will be applicable for the students who are studying currently in standard XI. The question paper for the chemistry, biology, and physics will comprise 70 marks for the written paper and the 30 marks for the practice’s and the project work. For mathematics, out of a total 100marks, 80 marks will be written and 20 marks will be for orals and practical. There will be only one question paper and one answer sheet for the duration of three hours for PCMB and statistics.

Mhamane told that the curricula for standard X will be changing from the next year and then for the standards of XI and XII. Currently, there is no change in the curricula of standard XI and XII