DNA speak up: Puneites talk about the new 80-20 assessment rule, in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination

HSC is fine, What about entrance exams?

Not only 80-20 system of assessment is the reason, but simplicity of questions is also a reason for high percentage of passing in the state. We are misleading our boys by just increasing percentage in both the SSC and HSC exams. There is a real decrease in their performance when they appear for any competitive or entrance exam. It is seen dreams of parents and students are being knocked down by these exams. The medical entrance exam was conducted for 720 marks and 50% will not even procure 360 marks, which is low. It means these 50% will not be eligible for medical admission. Which is why seats going vacant is a big concern in private medical colleges. Only around 55% of these students pass the first year of professional courses. 
Shreeram Geet, Career Counsellor 

New assessment system helped me...

The 80-20 marking system has helped me a lot, as I scored above 16 marks in all the internals, so the pressure of scoring in externals was less. We did not fear failure in any of the difficult subjects as we knew that we would score good in the internals. The external exams were easier than what I expected and submitting internal assignments on time added to the final percentage.
Sawani Bhave, passed HSC exam with 76.9% 

I passed my exams and scored well...

With the 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal system, I could plan out my study pattern. Assuming a minimum of 15 marks as internals in each subject, I knew I had to score at least 55 in theory to get a minimum of 70 percent. It helped me to drop out a few topics that were tough and study only the topics that would help me to get my target score. Subjects like accounts were tough and I just hoped to pass in them, because of the 80-20 system I not just passed but also scored well in that subject.
Hetal Mehta,passed HSC exam with 80.9% 

Paper setting has been lenient for students...

Students are scoring better in HSC because now Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering colleges have started giving 50% weightage for board exams. Students are now taking HSC exams seriously, to get into professional colleges. The 20% internal exams in the hands of the school, so they will make sure that their students are scoring. The paper preparation has been lenient towards both rural and urban students. The entrance exams are application oriented and the board exams are theory oriented. Majority of the students who score better in board exams do not do better in entrance exam like JEE.
Ketan Deshpande, Chairman, FUEL NGO

Cut-off percentage may eventually increase...

The passing percentage in state’s board exam has seen a rise this year due to increase in the e-learning skills of the students. Marginally, the 80-20 system of assessment is helping students to score better, which is positive and proactive. For this 205 internal marks, students have to study hard throughout the year. When the final 80% exam comes, it becomes a good revision time. This year with high passing percentage, top colleges will have lot of pressure when the admission process starts. The University probably is not going to allow colleges the additional 10% intake this year. With high pass out, the cut-off percentage will eventually increase. 
MD Lawrence, Principal, Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Commerce