CBSE strategy is clearly to encourage online exam

Updated on: Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Last year when CBSE announced that it will be conducting the big ticket Joint Entrance Exam ( JEE) in the offline mode outside of Nagpur, many students frowned upon the change - and not without reason. The centre chosen in place of Nagpur was neighbouring Amravati which was lacking in infrastructure.

About 20,000 candidates gave the exams in 51 centres in Amravati and while there are no official figures, many estimate that 99% of the students came from outside the city. Since these students are barely 17 to 18 years-old they were accompanied by an adult as well. The city's hotels were found lacking as all rooms were booked a week in advance. Candidates had a harrowing time in the city to manage accommodations and even to commute to their respective centres.

The CBSE's strategy seems to be pretty clear - promote online exam centres by dissuading offline exam's use. As the logistical problems mount for students taking the offline exam it is likely that in the coming years coaching class owners will try to shift students to the online mode. The online mode not only offers better control of the logistics to CBSE but increases the security level manifold. The evaluation process for all 10 lakh online candidates can be pretty much done in a day thus making early results possible. The cost of printing question paper and answer sheets, transporting it and its safekeeping add not only to the logistical headache but costs as well.

Sources in CBSE say that they anticipate a paradigm shift in number of people taking the online exam in the next five years. There are some within the board who feel that after a decade the offline version may cease completely.

And it does make sense to have an online setup because it ticks all the right boxes. From logistics, to security to costs everything seems to be in online's favour. Also students will benefit because they get to choose their exam date and timing as well.

CBSE strategy is clearly to encourage online exam

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