CBSE plans 2 maths papers: One easy and the other tough

THOSE NOT KEEN ON MATHS IN HIGHER STUDIES WON’T HAVE TO TAKE THE TOUGH TEST

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is examining a proposal to introduce two versions of the mathematics question paper so that students who aren’t keen to take up the subject in higher studies don’t have to sit for the tougher edition of the test.

The board has received representations to that effect from several schools and principals across the country, people familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity . The proposal is to introduce two versions of the maths paper — one difficult and one relatively easy — for classes 9, 10, 11 and 12. The rationale is that students who don’t intend to pursue the study of mathematics would be able to avoid the tag that they aren’t good at the subject if they score low marks in it at the high-school level.

“The subject expert committee is examining the proposal and is working out how the two different levels could be created. This would not only mean a different paper for the students, but a different curriculum,” one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

For instance, students who want to take up engineering and sit for the Join Entrance Examination (JEE) Main and Advanced will be able to study mathematics at the higher level. Those who aspire to study medicine and sit for the NEET will have the choice of studying the subject at the easier level.