A NEW BOARD GAME
The current batch of Class 12 state board students that will take the science and mathematics board exams based on the CBSE curriculum for the first time next March, is facing a more difficult and extensive syllabus. Teachers share preparation tips
lass 12 students and teachers are struggling to complete a tougher, more comprehensive syllabus in time for the upcoming board exams in March. This batch will be the first to give the board exams as per the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) syllabus in select subjects. The changed curriculum for physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics was introduced with last year’s Class 11 batch, currently in Class 12.
In
maths, focus on vectors, integration, derivatives and their
applications. In chemistry, focus on organic chemistry. Use books like
Uttam Paper Solutions or the Reliable series TEACHER’S TEACHERS’
TIPS The chemistry syllabus has undergone significant alteration, so
spend more time on this subject. Prepare for topics based on their
weightage listed in NCERT books. Write down chemical reactions and bonds
instead of just reading them. Complete the syllabus by November and
then focus on entrance exam preparation.
In physics, study the Doppler effect of light and angle of
banking. Master at least three-fourth of the syllabus. Understand the
basics and apply the concepts to score well in the boards and in
entrance exams.
These students, mostly from SSC and ICSE board backgrounds, will compete
with students who have studied the CBSE curriculum right from school
level, for entry to degree colleges. To illustrate, a total of 9,996
students from CBSE schools appeared for the CBSE board exam in
Maharashtra in 2012, versus 13.26 lakh students who gave the state’s HSC
exam earlier this year.
Battling larger class sizes than CBSE schools, and with a considerable number of students unfamiliar with this exhaustive programme, city colleges are not sure that they have enough time to complete the syllabus.
“The chemistry syllabus has increased fourfold, and it is impossible for us to teach the entire course in six months, before the prelims in January,” says Jyoti Thakur, chemistry professor and vice principal of junior college, Jai Hind College.
While some students and teachers think the new syllabus, devised by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), is difficult for those from non-CBSE schools, others believe that it simplifies the engineering and medical college entrance process that follows the boards.
Battling larger class sizes than CBSE schools, and with a considerable number of students unfamiliar with this exhaustive programme, city colleges are not sure that they have enough time to complete the syllabus.
“The chemistry syllabus has increased fourfold, and it is impossible for us to teach the entire course in six months, before the prelims in January,” says Jyoti Thakur, chemistry professor and vice principal of junior college, Jai Hind College.
While some students and teachers think the new syllabus, devised by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), is difficult for those from non-CBSE schools, others believe that it simplifies the engineering and medical college entrance process that follows the boards.
DOUBTS
1. One paper instead of two
Instead of two papers per subject on different days, now there
will be only one paper. For example in physics, paper 1 included
non-electrical topics and paper 2 had electrical, optical and modern
physics. Now, students will have one paper of 70 marks, testing both
sections. Serene Thomas, physics teacher at Holy Family School, Andheri
says, “Students have to deal with questions from 20 chapters in one
exam, instead of two exams with 10 chapters each. This has increased
their burden.”
2. Ambiguity in pattern
Many teachers are still in the dark about the paper pattern, because according to Vikram Karandikar, physics teacher at Ruia College says, the CBSE has not yet released sample papers.
3. No reprieve from tuitions
The move by the HRD ministry was touted to decrease dependence on coaching classes, but Class 12 students still attend private classes in droves because colleges are unable to complete the syllabus, according to R Parthasarthy, director, Kalrashukla.
SILVER LINING
The syllabus focuses on applicationbased questions, and it
coincides with the entrance exam syllabus. “Students won’t have to learn
extra for the entrance tests now. They just have to understand the
basics and apply them differently to both the exams,” says Parthasarthy.
2. Ambiguity in pattern
Many teachers are still in the dark about the paper pattern, because according to Vikram Karandikar, physics teacher at Ruia College says, the CBSE has not yet released sample papers.
3. No reprieve from tuitions
The move by the HRD ministry was touted to decrease dependence on coaching classes, but Class 12 students still attend private classes in droves because colleges are unable to complete the syllabus, according to R Parthasarthy, director, Kalrashukla.
SILVER LINING
The syllabus focuses on applicationbased questions, and it
coincides with the entrance exam syllabus. “Students won’t have to learn
extra for the entrance tests now. They just have to understand the
basics and apply them differently to both the exams,” says Parthasarthy.WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Last year, the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry scrapped
individual state-board syllabi for junior college science subjects,
which now have a CBSE syllabus, which overlaps with entrance exam
curricula. Some of the changes include:
One paper per subject of 70 marks to be completed in three hours
Practicals account for 30 marks Each subject will have a viva-voce of five to nine marks.
Weightage given to board exam marks:
For entrance to IITs 50%
NOW
Syllabus is devised completely by government- approved NCERTOne paper per subject of 70 marks to be completed in three hours
Practicals account for 30 marks Each subject will have a viva-voce of five to nine marks.
Weightage given to board exam marks:
For entrance to IITs 50%
For NITs and IIITs 40 %
Two papers of 40 marks each to be completed in two hours
Practicals account for 20 marks
No viva-voce
No clear weightage to board marks
BEFORE
Syllabus was devised by individual state boardsTwo papers of 40 marks each to be completed in two hours
Practicals account for 20 marks
No viva-voce
No clear weightage to board marks
TEACHER SPEAK
Joanna B Leons, chemistry teacher at St Andrew’s College, Bandra
“In physics, some topics like thermocouples have been taken off while others like friction have been added. While it is not difficult to complete the chapters, students are worried about appearing for the syllabus at one go.”
Serene Thomas, physics teacher at Holy Family School, Andheri
“In physics, some topics like thermocouples have been taken off while others like friction have been added. While it is not difficult to complete the chapters, students are worried about appearing for the syllabus at one go.”
Serene Thomas, physics teacher at Holy Family School, Andheri
“A few chapters have been clubbed together but the overall depth
of the paper has increased. Some topics that were part of degree college
syllabus are now included in Class 12. We have included the board exam
pattern in the mid-terms exams, and we are curious to know how the
students fare.”
PARENT SPEAK
Vidya Maskar, mother of a class 12 student of St Andrew’s College, Bandra
“Not only has the study load increased, there is no clarity on the
kinds of questions that will be asked. My son rushes between college
and coaching classes everyday, and comes back home exhausted every
night. He is not getting enough time to revise what is being taught and
his health has also been affected.”
YOUR VOICE
Khushali Gandhi, Class 12, Gokhali Bai College, Vile Parle (W)
“The new board syllabus is useful because it covers a considerable portion of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) syllabus, the proposed medical entrance exam. However, most of us still go to coaching classes to prepare for both boards as well as entrance exams because we get individual attention there.”
Lavina Isai, Class 12, St Andrew’s College, Bandra
“The new board syllabus is useful because it covers a considerable portion of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) syllabus, the proposed medical entrance exam. However, most of us still go to coaching classes to prepare for both boards as well as entrance exams because we get individual attention there.”
Lavina Isai, Class 12, St Andrew’s College, Bandra
“We are facing a lot of difficulty in preparing for the boards
because of the increased syllabus. Chemistry is the major cause of
concern as chemistry 2, which has organic chemistry is very tough and
teachers are not able to teach everything in the limited lectures we
have.”
Rishikesh Pawar, Class 12, St Xavier’s College, Dhobi Talao
“Though the syllabus has increased, our teachers say the exam itself will be easy because this is the first year after the pattern change. I am not worried about the mid-term exams that are on at the moment because most of the syllabus has been completed at my coaching class.”
Rishikesh Pawar, Class 12, St Xavier’s College, Dhobi Talao
“Though the syllabus has increased, our teachers say the exam itself will be easy because this is the first year after the pattern change. I am not worried about the mid-term exams that are on at the moment because most of the syllabus has been completed at my coaching class.”
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