Clearing PCMB to get tougher from next yr

From the next academic year, clearing your physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics examinations is set to get tougher. For, you will need to score at least 25% in written papers of all four subjects in the higher secondary certificate (HSC) board examination of 2013, stated a new circular of the Maharashtra state board of secondary and higher secondary education (MSBSHSE). 

Reason: A complete overhaul of the written paper, which will include questions to test the students’ in-depth knowledge and analytical skills rather than their rote skills.

The change signifies the adaptation of the MSBSHSE as well as all other state boards in the country of a revised science and maths syllabi in the 2013 national eligibility-cum-entrance test (NEET) and the Indian science engineering eligibility test (ISEET). Further, the circular, which was sent to colleges in March second week,  also states that instead of two papers of 40 marks each till now, subjects like physics, chemistry and biology will have a single paper of 70 marks.

Also, marks for practical exams in these subjects have been increased from 20 to 30. As before, the mathematics and statistics paper will have one theory paper carrying 80 marks, while the 20-mark  practical will remain unchanged. However, 80% questions in all four subjects would based on knowledge and analytical skills.

With the impending change, the syllabi of the four subjects will have added 10-25% topics to become condensed like the CBSE. As per Shraddha Deshpande, a chemistry teacher in Anandibai Poddar Junior College, the move aims to counter the high scores in practical exams given by colleges.

Admitting that the scoring will get tough, a student of Thakur College said, “We will have to study the entire 19 chapters in Physics for one paper which until now were divided into two papers of 10 and 11 chapters respectively.”

Stating that one will have to study the entire syllabus, Haider Ali, a Math teacher at Rizvi College, said, “Till now the two Maths papers had five short-answer questions of 2 marks each. Now on, short questions will carry 48 marks out of 80.”

However, BN Pandey, who teaches physics at Anandibai Poddar Junior College said the new pattern will help students to get acquainted with national-level exams starting from 2013.