Kolkata: The Board’s decision to examine the Indian School Certificate (CISCE) to divide the ICSE board and ISC examinations to two for 2022, with the first semester exam scheduled for this November, has received a city school to start planning so that children can do it.
This is the first time they face all the theory paper in MCQ mode held online.
Schools feel they will be challenging to prepare children on how to handle questions and make them get acquainted with computer-based tests.
They have taken the pen-and-paper exams and send them in PDF format for online tests, but now they may be used to taking computer-based tests such as competitive exams to enter engineering, drugs or universities abroad.
Many ISC Science students who prepare for such exams say they have mastered answering computer-based MCQ questions, but most ICSE students have not felt this.
Most school principals say they will wait for further clarity whether the November exam will be fully computer-based, where each child will visit the school to take the test.
The school said because CBSE had expressed such format before, it would help to follow it.
“Maybe the Board IT team will guide school on how to produce paper,” said the Principal of La Martiniere’s acting for boys John Stephen.
Most schools agree that since the November exam will be held at 50% syllabus, students can spend time practicing MCQ variables.
They also say the first pre-puja test will be treated as a pre-board for the November exam and will also be in the MCQ format.
“We have shifted to MCQ in online assessment and students welcomed him,” said Rupkatha Sarkar, Principal of La Martiniere for girls.
“From what I can understand, it will be a computer-based test held at school under supervision.
But we are waiting for further clarity from the council,” said the Principal of Heritage Seema Sapru.
“We will make children practice full MCQ tests,” said DPS Newtown Principal Sonali Sen.
Students who prepare ISC seems comfortable.
“Many entrance tests are computer-based tests, so we know the basic format,” said Rishin Mitra, a class XII LMB student.