Let's Discuss...
Elections in the four states of UP, Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand might have been an opportunity for the politicians; it has surely not been that good an idea for the students appearing for their CBSE class XII board exams. While exams begin on March 9th, they end up only by end of April with almost 10-15 days gap between each exam.
It's a tussle between boards and entrance exams
Though some students say they are happy with the gaps as it gives them more time to prepare and revise, some do feel that it gets in the way of preparing for competitive exams. "We are forced to juggle our time between board exams and entrance exams," says Zoe Rita Patrick, class XII, Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bengaluru adding that the government should keep in mind such scenarios and ensure that anything of national importance doesn't coincide with students appearing for examinations.
When students get almost a month or more before the final board examinations to be prepared, isn't it better to get over with the exams in one go with minimum days to revise what's already been done? "Long gaps in an exam are like godsend for those students who haven't studied CBSE throughout the year as they were focused on their competitive exams. However, those who have been sincerely preparing for boards, chances are they may staurate and not perform up to their potential," feels Bandita Roy, educator, Ahmedabad. She further states that government must prioritise class X and XII board exams as they are the stepping stone of one's career.
More the gap, more the practice but what about college admissions?
Students see such long gaps between examination as a good time to practice, revise and be thorough with the syllabus. "Every competitive exam requires you to be thorough with what you have studied in your boards apart from some extra hard work in practicing more questions. I think it is unnecessary to create such a hype over it," says Kartik Joshi, class XII, Maharaj Agrasen Vidyalaya, Ahmedabad.
"Ideally, the gaps between exams shouldn't exceed a week because anything more than that adds to a relaxed attitude and hampers productivity," says Pancham Gupta, class XII, Arwachin International School, New Delhi.
More than the relaxed attitude, to make it through a college of your choice for further studies is what concerns the students most. "The scores in competitive exams evidently matter more and getting admissions in good colleges with 80 percent is challenging in a country like India. I think the government must keep in mind that most of the competitive exams are scheduled in the months of April and May," says Sarathi Maniyar, class XII, Jai Hind College, Mumbai.
"I have known a few who have had to reequest for rescheduling their exam dates. Long breaks do not create an exam environment. It adds to the burden of planning out applications and schedules for entrance exams," says Aparna, class XII, Navy Children School, New Delhi.
Unnecessary stress for students
The fact that students may become lackadaisical in nature due to such prolonged breaks is a serious concern amidst teachers. "Why put pressure on the child by giving such long gaps? As it is, they will be stressed. Election commission should avoid scheduling polls during these two crucial months or organise it in a way that doesn't divert their attention from studies towards debates and discussions," says Arvind Agnihotri, teacher, SBDAV Public School, New Delhi. "It is disheartening to see the kids not performing well in exams owing to the long gap between their exams," says Nancy Dutta, Kundan International School, Chandigarh.
Now that the dates have already been announced, instead of fretting over such long gaps, it is time to pull up your socks. Eugenie Wilson, teacher, Air Force School, Hebbal, Bengaluru tells you how you should plan your studies during those breaks:
- Have a fixed time table
- Do not put off things for the last two days
- If you get a long break between one exam, while hardly 2 or 3 days between the other, plan your study preparations such so that you don't get confused between the subjects and at the same time are thorough with it
(With Inputs From Team NIE)
Are long breaks between board examinations a cause of concern?
Can they affect your preparation strategy for entrance examinations?
Should the government consider examination schedules prior to planning elections or any other thing of national importance?
Share your thoughts in the comments below...