Thiruvananthapuram: Students who score 90% or above in the higher secondary examination will no longer be eligible for grace marks. The maximum marks that a student can score, even after adding the grace marks, have been limited to 90%. Minister V Sivankutty has released the revised manual of the higher secondary exam, that includes this stipulation. These are some of the major changes:
The answer sheets for revaluation would be evaluated by at least two experts. If the difference between both the valuations is less than 10% of the maximum marks, then the student will get the average of both the scores. In case, the difference is more than 10%, then the paper will be evaluated again. This score would be compared with the lesser score of the previous valuations. The average of these two scores would be considered as final. Even if the student gets just extra 1 mark in the revaluation, it would be added. However, if the students score lower than their original marks, then the first one would be retained.
The guideline that students who couldn’t pass in any subject (those who didn’t score at least 30% marks in both the years) should write the exams of both the years is cancelled.
If a student, who had written the second-year theory exam but couldn’t attend the practical exam will now get a chance to attend only the practical. An observation squad would be formed to ensure that the practical exams are held without any complains.
The guidelines to reapply for certificate in case a candidate loses it have been simplified. Now, they need to submit only the declaration from the notary. Currently, applicants have to submit a declaration from first class magistrate.
The grace marks obtained for each subject would be separately marked in the certificate.
The number of answer sheets that a teacher has to evaluate in a session (3 hours) at the valuation camp has been increased. This has gone up to 25 answer sheets from 20 for subjects like Botany, Zoology and Music. Meanwhile, it has been increased to 17 from 13 for other subjects.
During the scrutiny, it would be ensured that all the answers have been valued and the marks are noted on the facing sheet. Besides, it would also be ensured that the marks calculated is correct. Applications would be invited from teachers who are interested in preparing question papers and a pool of experts would be formed for each subject.
Exam duties have been made mandatory for all teachers. Those who defy these could face action.
The duration of safeguarding the valued answer sheets in the camps has been reduced to one year from two.