Exams are not all about scores!

Sambit has just returned from school when he takes a quick pick at the food served and rushes for his tuition classes where he has to appear for a maths test. This test, Sambit’s parents feel, prepares him for the final exams in a more effective way. Sambit is not the only one to go through this grind prior to the final exams. Most students, even in primary classes follow such a regime. Reason could be anything - parental or peer pressure to excel.Despite the fact that gradation system has been introduced in most CBSE affiliated schools with an aim to reduce stress, neither the students nor parents want to leave any stone unturned to do better than the best leading to more apprehension and anxiety and personality related disorders.The gradation system promises to minimise the divide between the very high scoring and high scoring students and it also ensures to eliminate unhealthy competition among high achievers.“This new system has favoured the students as their concepts are becoming more clear and gives the child another opportunity to get better marks. The performance has increased as CBSE course is well designed. The parents only need to encourage their children to help them perform better”, said Poly Patnaik, Principal, Mothers Public School.“Before the gradation system was introduced the children were admitted on the basis of the test marks. But now the students will receive grades basing on which they will be admitted to the upper classes. But this has not sunk into the minds of the parents who are yet to be accustomed to the new system of evaluation,’’ said Krishna Mishra, teacher DAV School, Unit-8. Most parents still prefer the traditional method of evaluation.‘‘The competition is so tough that the children have no time to pursue hobbies or co-curricular activities. We have to constantly push the children to study and keep them away from the television”, agrees Sasmita Mohanty, a mother of two.The present system of evaluation provides the learner more flexibility since scoring full marks doesnt remain the only criterion.‘‘Parents feel that we have to take extra coaching so that we secure full marks leaving us with less time to revise,” said Ankita Sahoo, a class 10 student of St. Xavier’s school.“The grading system  with a proper formative assessments throughout the year makes a student keep track of each subject. It is only motivation that the students require and parents and teachers can be of real help. Today the board exams have become a little stress free than they used to be, so there’s nothing to be hyper about” said Shiv Pratap Singh, University & Career guidance counselor, KIIT International School.