Students attempting Central Board of Secondary Education Class X board examinations in the coming session will have a choice of test paper Mathematics. Students will have the option to choose between a standard-level or the existing-level mathematics question paper. However, students must make this choice in the beginning of the session and not before examination.
Based on the news circulated to schools, syllabus for the exam remains the same, but students would be examined at two different levels. The idea behind the move is that there can be no single ‘standard’ level, but students who scored low get tagged as “not being good” at the subject. Allowing students to choose their level would help them prepare and appear for the exam in their respective capacities.
It has been informally intimated that this is starting off as a pilot project from the academic session. On assessment, if the success rate is high, it is likely that the model may be extended to the Class 12 boards as well. As shared by an experienced educator Manish Sharma, higher-level paper is likely to have more questions on applied mathematics and involve higher order thinking skills (HOTS).
Currently, several boards overseas have a similar system in place. One example of this is the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). In addition to its core curriculum for every subject for the majority of students, it also offers an extended curriculum designed for students who are more academically able.