HSC science results: Percentile remains a mystery in Ahmedabad

After the declaration of 12th Science results, the percentile system has remained a mystery for most parents and students.

According to the parents, percentile and grading system have only doubled the burden of remembering three separate figures instead of only percentage.

"The formula to calculate percentile is too confusing, and it does not convey any exact details about the performance of students," said Rajesh Prajapati, whose son received a percentile of 97.

According to the formula suggested by the board, percentile suggests the percentage of students who are behind them in marks. In simple words, if a student receives 97 as percentile, he is among the top 3% students who appeared for the exam, i.e. 91,600 in total. Parents argue that even if their son or daughter gets 99%, he or she is among 1% of 91,600 students. That figure comes to 916, which shows that he or she is just another student among this lot. "This is quite disappointing to know that my daughter is still among these 1000 odd students, so percentile can not work as a catalyst to measure the performance" said a Daxesh Shah, a parent.

Apart from the percentile system, parents are also not happy with the grading system. The reason is not confusion, but for not becoming neighbour's envy anymore! According to some parents, the grading system does not allow them to boast about the achievement of their children, as grades are far broader than the old system of percentage. "Previously, if my son got 98% and my friend or neighbour's son gets 97.5%, that joy of half percentage was more than anything in this world for me," said a parent, whose son scored grade A1 in this exam.

Now, parents complain that the good old joy of comparing the percentage of their children is a thing of the past. According to the grading system, a student who gets marks from 91 to 100, will be awarded A1.

"It gives chance to all those parents to proudly say that their children are in A1, irrespective of their actual percentage, which we will never know!" said another parent.