Several ICSE/ISC schools have decided to introduce multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in Classes IX and XI.
The publication of specimen question papers by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) for Classes X and XII will help teachers formulate questions in other classes as well, several schools said.
The change comes following the announcement by the council that there will be two semesters and an exam at the end of each semester for Classes X and XII. The exam in November will be online and entirely MCQ-based.
The council also announced that it would not conduct exams for Classes IX and XI during the 2021-22 academic year.
Some of the schools have decided to fully or partially shift to MCQs in the internal exams expecting such a pattern to become the norm in near future.
School heads said it was good to assess students in different ways and prepare them for competitive exams.
Modern High School for Girls, St James’ School, South City International School, Sri Sri Academy, The Heritage School, Delhi Public School New Town, Loreto Convent Entally, Our Lady Queen of the Missions School Salt Lake and Rammohan Mission High School are some of the schools that have decided to introduce MCQs in the school exams that are likely to be held in September-October in most of them.
A couple of schools among them had set MCQs last year as well but the heads said the pattern would be given more weightage this year.
“Teachers will be trained in setting MCQ papers for Classes IX and XI. If the pandemic continues, there is a possibility of MCQs continuing. Even if the situation improves and classes resume, this could be an option,” said The Heritage School principal Seema Sapru.
Most of the schools, however, will have a mixed bag of questions in Classes IX and XI that would include MCQs and long-answer questions. “Different ways of assessing a student should be adopted...,” said Devi Kar, the director of Modern High School for Girls.
St James’ School has allocated a certain percentage for MCQs in Classes IX and XI because it would prepare students better. “All competitive exams are in MCQ pattern. This will prepare them for not just the boards but the future as well,” said principal Terence Ireland.
Teachers across schools were waiting for the specimen papers to know the pattern.
“We plan to introduce MCQs slowly for Classes IX and XI. Since the specimen papers are published and teachers can study the pattern, we can carry it for other classes,” said Sister Sebastian, the principal of Our Lady Queen of the Missions School, Salt Lake.
Rammohan Mission High School principal Sujoy Biswas said the specimen papers “will be a guide for teachers of Classes IX and XI” to formulate questions.