Kolkata: Some gain, some lose from CBSE marking formula

KOLKATA: The CBSE Class XII results, which were based on a formula that had been framed after some of the examinsations were cancelled due to the pandemic-induced lockdown, brought cheer for some students but many felt they could have secured better marks if given a chance to take the remaining subjects. Several city schools principals pointed out that those who had missed out from appearing in most of the subjects were the hardest hit.
Birla Bharati School principal Apala Datta said in her institution, some commerce and humanities students have taken a beating. “Exams were cancelled for six major subjects — computer science, business studies, geography, home science, Hindi and Bengali. While commerce students missed a maximum of two subjects, most science students missed out on one major subject — computer science — and those who had Hindi missed out on two. The humanities students have missed out on three subjects out of six,” pointed out Datta. The school average, as a result, is 80%.

For all the subjects that were suspended, average marking has been done based on the subjects in which the students had appeared. “To some extent, this has affected the overall aggregate marks of several students, especially humanities as they missed out on three major subjects,” Datta pointed out.
But for students who have appeared in more than three examinations, the average of marks obtained in best three performing subjects was awarded in subjects in which exams had not been conducted. While for students who have appeared in only three exams, the average of marks got in the best two performing subjects was awarded in the subjects in which exams had not been conducted.
Students unsatisfied with the marks will be allowed to appear in the optional exams to be conducted by CBSE to improve their performance.
According to South Point School spokesperson Krishna Damani, the CBSE formula has “cut both ways”. “Those who had fared average in the first few papers and thought of making up the lost score in the latter ones have missed out on the opportunity because of the sudden suspension of exams,” Krishna Damani said.
A student of DPS Ruby Park agreed that the formula backfired on those students who had missed from appearing in the most of the subjects. “I had planned to make up for low scores that I had secured in the first few exams by taking the latter ones as CBSE had planned to hold the now suspended exams in July. Since I got a long time to revise, I was confident of giving my best shot. Unfortunately, things did not work out and the remaining papers were cancelled. I have now been marked on an average based on my already appeared papers,” said a student from a school in Minto Park.