It's better to be specific and stick to word limit

Updated on: Monday, February 22, 2010

The Central Board of Secondary Education answers questions relating to its examinations from The Hindu's readers. Readers are welcome to send in questions, primarily those relating to Class X and XII examinations, to cbsehelp@thehindu. co.in, which will be forwarded to the CBSE.

Answers to select questions will be published in these columns in subsequent instalments. The purpose of this series is also to help reduce examination-related stress in students.

I am in Class X. 1. In the new grading system, will students get to know their marks in the respective subjects along with the grades?

2. For Hindi (course B), should we study the idioms given in the grammar text along with those given in the main text or just the latter?

3. Will there be deduction of marks for exceeding word limit in English?

Sreeparvathi, Kannur

1.No, The Board's result sheet will indicate only grades in every subject separately.

2. The idioms given in the prescribed textbooks may be studied for examination purpose.

3. No, there will be no deduction of marks on exceeding the word limit but it is always better to write your answer according to given specifications. This will also help you in saving time.

I came to know that the CBSE is planning to stop the Board Exams for Class X from the next academic year. Will it not affect the academic future of a student who has been performing well in his exams as there is a possibility that the school management can show partiality towards students. If the discretion to give marks in Class X exam is completely left to the school, does it not adversely affect the common man's faith in the Board? Is there any criteria prescribed by the CBSE to school authorities on giving marks for the internal as well as external exams for Class X? Is there any remedy for the aggrieved students with regard to the awarding of grades, and if so to which forum can they complain?

Anitha O.S.

Yes, the students studying in senior secondary schools will have school-based Class-X examination whereas students studying in secondary schools will take Board examination in March 2011. Both the examinations will be based on same syllabus and same design of the question paper. The answer sheets of school-based examination will be marked using the marking scheme provided by the Board. Thus, the subjectivity in assessment of students will be minimised and comparability of the standard of examinations will also be maintained.

The assessment of students in co-scholastic areas under CEE will be done by a team of teachers instead of a single teacher. The grades awarded to every student will be justified by descriptive indicators. This will further minimise subjectivity in assessment. The students are always welcome to write to the Board in the case of any serious discrepancies.

Will pictures for identification be tested in geography for Class X exam in CBSE 2010? Example: Like in last year, “wheat, rice or sugarcane?” (From the NCERT textbook)

Kanav Saraf

On page number 348 of the sample question papers in Social Science, Class X, for the Board examination 2010, the Highlights of the Question Papers clearly specify that there will be no question on pictures and cartoons given in textbooks of units 1 to 4. But questions can be asked on interpretation of data, diagram and maps given in the NCERT textbooks other than History.

I am in Class XII. What are the deleted portions in Business Studies?

Tony Kurian

Please refer to the Business Studies syllabus of Class XII for Board examination 2010 posted on the Board's website at http://www.cbse.nic.in/

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20CURRICULUM

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20VOL-1.pdf

What are the deleted portions in Economics and Accountancy for Class XII?

Jikku Abraham

Please refer to the Economics syllabus of Class XII for Board examination 2010 posted on the Board's website at http://www.cbse.nic.in/

SENIOR

%20CURRICULUM%

202010

%20%20VOL-1.pdf

In Accountancy, as per the Board's Circular no.25/09 dated 14.07.2009, the following sub-topics will be deleted from unit 4 of the Accountancy syllabus:

a) Issue of debentures at a discount.

b) Writing off of discount on issue of debentures.

c) Sinking fund as one of the methods of Redemption of Debentures.

In the sample papers of 2010 for social science, you have divided questions 13 and 14 into three groups (A, B, C). In those groups the questions of other chapters have been included with the current board exam chapters. How can we attend those questions? Will it be the same pattern this year?

Vamsi Krishna

In the Social Science sample question papers of Class X, Question number 13 pertains to sub-unit 1.2 of the Social Science syllabus, ‘Economies and Livelihoods', in which a student is required to study any one theme out of three given themes.

Question number 14 pertains to study of any one theme out of the given two themes in sub-unit 1.3 Culture, Identity and Society of the Social Science syllabus. Choices will be provided in the Board's question paper for questions pertaining to these sub-units/chapters.

I am student of Class XII. 1. In solutions (chemistry), for exercise question 2.8, though ethylene glycol is in higher quantity, should we take water as solvent? On page 33, it is given that “component that is present in the largest quantity is solvent” and the answer is obtained only if we take water as solvent.

2. In chemistry, items given in the box with yellow bar come under non-evaluative part. But some bars are dark in colour and some are light. Is this due to print quality or are the items given under box with light yellow bar evaluative?

M. Prgatheeswaran, Karaikal

1. The statement given on page 33 in NCERT Chemistry Textbook is to be taken as correct.

2. The content matter given in deep yellow box with bar is non-evaluative.

Will I be able to know the marks from the results of CBSE Class X Board Exam 2010?

Elizabeth Eldhose

No, the result sheet issued by the Board will indicate only grades in every subject.

What is the rule regarding the condition in which the student fails in the additional subject in Class XII examination this year? My son, a student of Commerce, has opted mathematics as additional subject.

Jalaja Nair

The existing rules will continue to be followed. If your son qualifies in all the five main subjects but does not qualify in the additional subject, he will be declared pass and will get the qualifying certificate.

It has been reported that new options such as media courses and visual communication are going to be introduced for Plus-Two this year. I would like to know the status in this regard.

Lakshminarayanan

The related matter is in progress and will be communicated to schools shortly.

I am a Class XII (computer-maths) student. Will the Board question papers completely stick to the syllabus? Are there any deleted portions from the prescribed NCERT textbooks?

Jelena antony, kochi

Yes, the question paper will be strictly based on the prescribed syllabus. No, there are no deletions from the prescribed syllabus or NCERT textbooks.

The timetable for Class X exam has given two days' time for preparation for Maths exam for non-Hindi students. There is also a 1

It's better to be specific and stick to word limit

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