Punjab Board introduces two-term exam as backup assessment – Times of India

Following the CBSE’s decision to conduct a two-term board examination, Punjab School Examination Board (PSEB) has also decided to have a bi-annual exam system for classes V, VIII, X, and XII from the academic session 2021-22. The Board is planning to finish the Term I exam before December 23, if the Covid cases remain under control. In the latest development, CBSE has asked students to use only pen to write their answers on the OMR sheet.

According to the new exam policy, Term I will comprise MCQ-type objective questions of one mark each while Term II will have only subjective-type questions. The Board is still finalising the marks distribution for term exams. The sample question papers will be uploaded by the PSEB soon on its website, to help teachers guide the students with the new exam and question patterns.

Why two-term exam

On why PSEB has decided to go for two-term exams, Board chairman Yograj reasons that the move is aimed to have another mode of assessment ready. “It is wise to have an alternative plan ready for the academic assessment of our students in case of unforeseen situations. Additionally, the new exam mode will help students get an idea for OMR sheet-based exam system as the majority of the competitive examinations are getting conducted in MCQ format,” says Yograj.

No overlapping of syllabus

The Board has decided not to repeat the syllabus for both Term I and Term II exams. “There will be no overlapping of syllabus and the final result will be prepared based on students’ performance in both these exams,” says PSEB chairman. He adds that the Board is hoping to complete the first term examination before the winter vacation. Final dates will be announced soon.

Short window to complete syllabus

Talking about the new assessment policy and its challenges, Balwinder Kaur, principal, BDS Day Boarding Senior Secondary School, Dharar, Amritsar, says that the decision to have two term exams should have been taken earlier. “The Term I exam is expected to be held in November-December. There is a very short window of period for teachers to guide the students with the question patterns and complete the syllabus,” says Kaur.

“So far the syllabus is getting covered chapter-wise. While the sudden decision by the Board has put extra pressure on teachers to finish the syllabus as per the new exam pattern, we are left with no time due to upcoming festival season and holidays,” says Kaur who is apprehensive that students might not take studies seriously after securing pass marks in Term I exam. The Board is planning to give 40% weightage to Term I, 40% to Term II and 20% weightage will be given to internal assessment.