State education board to change pattern for SSC maths, science papers

The state education board will implement changes in the mathematics and science paper pattern for Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) examination this year. The new pattern will include objective and application-based questions and more choices in the multiple choice question (MSQ) option.

Besides, the final science practical (for 40 marks) will be evaluated by the school itself. From this year onwards, no external examiner will set the practical paper or evaluate it.

According to the board officials, SSC students will appear for a 60-mark theory science paper at the examination centre, while the remaining 40 marks will be divided into 20-mark practical and an objective-type question paper of as many marks. These exams will be conducted and evaluated at schools.

About 3 lakh students will appear for the SSC exams, which are set to start from March 1. "This year part I and part II for maths and science will not be held on different dates. The students will get one answer sheet for both the parts on the same day. For years, we have been following a fixed paper pattern but we want to streamline the process now," said Sarjerao Jadhav, chairperson of MSBSHSE.

Out of the total 120-marks theory examinations for maths, students will have to score minimum 30 marks to pass, while in science, they will have to score minimum of 15 marks to clear the paper.

From the next year, the changed pattern will be applicable to all subjects, where students will have to get a minimum passing percentage.

There is also unease among students as most of them will not get to refer to the previous years' question papers due to the changed pattern. "We are not aware of the pattern and don't know what kind of questions will be asked. During exams we usually refer to previous years' papers, but can't do it this year. But we are being assured it will be easier than previous years," said Atul Kanna, a student of Vidya Niketan high school.