Ongoing experiments : Changing exam patterns create confusion

Educational authorities likely to alter weightage of numbers for MCQs for the third year running

KARACHI:

Much like how some students leave exam preparation for the last minute, Sindh’s educational authorities are taking their sweet time in announcing the pattern for the matriculation and intermediate exams to be held in the earlier part of the upcoming year.

Consequently, students and teachers alike are perturbed by the uncertainty. In the last couple of years, the testing pattern for the matriculation and intermediate level has changed several times - mostly due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19.

Since 2010, the prevalent pattern in Sindh for exams consisted of: 20 per cent of weightage given to multiple choice questions (MCQs), 50 per cent for short answers, and the remainder 30 per cent for long form questions. In 2020, when the coronavirus hit, the exams were done away with because of the logistical challenges involved in conducting them during pandemic related lockdowns.

In 2021, the examination pattern saw a drastic change as educational authorities recommended testing students only on their optional subjects - the MCQs weightage was increased to 50 percent, short answers would now account for 30 per cent, and long answers for 20 per cent.

This year, in 2022, the pattern was revised again and this time around both MCQs and short answers had a 40 per cent weightage, each; whereas, long form answers accounted for the remaining 20 per cent. With the examinations for the current educational year, 2022-2023, set to take place within the next four to five months, Sindh’s education department has yet to decide what the pattern will be - leading to an uneasiness amongst students and teachers with regards to exam preparations. Board of Intermediate Education Karachi Controller of Exams Anwer Aleem Khanzada, when asked about the delay, said that considerations were being made to change the paper pattern this time around as well. “The final decision will be taken in a meeting of the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) set to take place in a few days. It is likely that the weightage for the MCQs will be reduced,” Khanzada said.

Despite Khanzada’s assurance, the uncertainty amongst students and teachers is not misplaced as once an exam pattern is announced the education boards release a model paper, which is then used as a guiding source in preparing for exams.

The uncertainty has been further exacerbated due to the introduction of a new grading system for tests across the country, including Sindh. Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Hyderabad (BISEH) Controller Dr Masroor Ahmadzai feels that if the boards in Sindh start implementing the new grading system for the upcoming exam cycle “it will have implications given the expected change in paper pattern.” In that light not only will the grading but moderation and paper setting methods will also need revision, as per Dr Ahmadzai.

“Therefore, the decision on examination pattern should be notified soon,” the controller of exams urged.

Sindh University and Boards Department Secretary Mureed Rahimoon said that chairmen of all education boards in a meeting held a few days ago had decided that the matriculation and intermediate examinations in Sindh would follow the examination and grading patterns followed by the Federal Board. “The MCQs will now account for 20 or 30 per cent of the grade and the rest will be short and long answers,” Rahimoon informed.

“There are some financial implications of the proposal, therefore a final approval from the Chief Minister is pending. Once approved, we will announce it formally,” the secretary told The Express Tribune.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2022.