New Delhi:- According to sources, board exams may now be given 50 percent weightage in important admissions based on entrance exam scores like NEET and JEE.
This possibility is being considered with a view to reducing the extremely high-stakes nature of any one exam, be it entrance exams for medical and engineering admissions or board exams.
The move is being taken after several consecutive flaws in the examination system, including checking errors and paper leaks, have come to light. These incidents have sparked a fresh debate on the credibility of the current system.
Possible changes in the examination system: “The changes being considered include giving 50 per cent weightage to board marks in admission/merit, aligning entrance exams more closely with the school syllabus to reduce dependence on coaching centres, giving multiple attempts to appear for the exam and gradually moving towards ‘adaptive on-demand computer-based examinations’,” a source said.
At present, admissions to medical and engineering are based entirely on entrance exam marks and candidates need only secure a specified passing percentage in the board exams to be eligible to appear for the entrance exams.
Education ministry committee considering These reforms are being considered by a nine-member committee of the education ministry, which was constituted last year. The committee was formed to look into the issue of students' reliance on coaching, the growing trend of "dummy schools" and the fairness of high-stakes entrance exams.
The final report of the panel is likely to be submitted to the government in the coming weeks. The committee has also recommended making the entrance exams more aligned with the school syllabus.