Mixed reactions to MCQ format in semester exam in Gujarat

The first ever semester system examination for class XI science stream received mixed reactions from students who appeared for it on Thursday. District education officer RI Patel said that first day of examination went peacefully.

The new system employs multiple choice questions - optical mark recognition (MCQ-OMR) pattern for evaluating students. Almost 9,959 students from 58 examination centres appeared for the test. Majority of them preferred the older method of answering at length.

According to students, this objective pattern of examination will fetch them no marks if they choose a wrong option. In the earlier system, they got marks even if they wrote some part of the complete answer. Students also felt that those who mug up answers will face a tough time in this format of examination.

“This system works fine if you have studied your subject well,” said Hardi Shah, student of CN Vidyalaya who appeared for her mathematics paper on Thursday.

However, another student Maharshi Gor chose to disagree. “It’s not about mugging up answers. We are used to answering at length and we got some marks even if we wrote a paragraph or two of the complete answer,” said Maharshi.  “Now if we choose the wrong answer, we lose all our marks,” he added.

Darshil Shah voiced a similar opinion. “Writing lengthy answers is better. This new system involves options which confuse us further,” said Shah. He wants authorities to go back to the earlier format. Friday will see students appear for their English paper.