CBSE Class XII Mathematics Exam: Full marks for 'tricky' question
What's the story
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a circular asking the evaluators to give full marks for a tricky question in Class XII Mathematics examination. The question from linear programming chapter was for six marks and as per CBSE, it could be perceived in two different ways, leading to two different answers. The decision attracted criticism from both students and teachers.
Details
Doesn't have technical issue, but can be interpreted differently: Bharadwaj
The corrigendum released by the Board on March 30 instructed evaluators to follow separate marking scheme for question 29 of sets 1 and 2, and question 27 of set 3. Sanyam Bharadwaj, the controller of examination, said, "Question 29 doesn't have a technical issue but the question can be interpreted in two ways. So the board decided to give marks to the students anyway."
Reaction
Circular has received backlash from both students and teachers
Neither the teachers nor the students have taken the circular positively and argued that it is unfair to those who solved it correctly. Teachers believe that the question was straightforward and couldn't confuse any student. A Mathematics teacher from Delhi said, "Students who have read the questions thoroughly will get the solution of the question as 350, but others will get 80 or 60."
Student reacts
Not justified to those who solved the question, says student
The criticism is coming out strong, also because the Class XII marks determine admissions in various prestigious colleges. While talking about the CBSE's decision, a student said, "With this new marking scheme, the students who have calculated it wrong will also get full marks and this is not justified to those who had spent extra time during maths paper on the tricky question."
Delay
Delay in decision deprives several students of the benefit
Another Mathematics teacher said, "There is only one answer to this question. Giving marks for the wrong answer is not a wise decision." Moreover, the circular, which is generally given before the beginning of the evaluation process, was presented to the evaluators on the second day of the evaluation process in this case. Thus, many believe it may deprive several students of the benefit.
Defense
CBSE says policy in place, decision as per experts' advice
Meanwhile, defending its decision, the Board said that they have a policy in place to address the anomalies. They took the action as per experts' advice. "The group preparing marking schemes makes appropriate provisions to address the anomaly in such a manner that no student is put to a disadvantageous position and the genuine interest of the student is protected," said CBSE.
Another confusion
No decision yet on translation error in another question
Separately, another six marks integration question in one of the Class XII Mathematics sets, which asked to calculate two different areas, created confusion. While question in English asked them to calculate area 'above' the X-axis, Hindi one asked for area 'around' X-axis (both the questions require different procedure). However, no notice regarding the above has been received by the evaluators yet from the Board.