American teachers may bristle at end-of-course standardized tests, but in India they are an entrenched system. Huge amounts of time are devoted to exams. Both mid-terms ("practice" exams) and end-of-semester exams take two weeks away from the school schedule. That's 8 weeks each year devoted to nothing but exams.
For younger students (Jr Kg through 8th standard), the exams are written by their teachers -- although every student in a standard gets the same exams. But for 9th through 12th standards, the end of semester exam is standardized. Modern School uses the Gujarat State Board exams. Other schools use the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) exams. A very few schools follow an international curriculum, such as the IB (International Baccalaureate -- also available in some U.S. schools).
These exams are run much like the SAT or AP exams. Instead of 60 to 80 students in a classroom, there are only 20 (one per desk), and students do not necessarily take exams at their own school. On Thursday, Modern School was hosting 300 students taking the Semester III Physics exam. Some came from as far away as Daman (10 km) and Silvassa (25 km). Students are randomly assigned to a classroom and a seat. The exams also have multiple forms. Each classroom is recorded on video as well.
The Semester I and Semester III exams are all "MCQ" (multiple choice questions), while Semester II and Semester IV are half MCQ and half written questions. The written questions are always graded by a teacher at a different school from the one the student attends. Semester IV exams cover two years worth of material (either 9th and 10th standard or 11th and 12th standard) and the "marks" determine a student's further education options. It's very serious stuff.
For younger students (Jr Kg through 8th standard), the exams are written by their teachers -- although every student in a standard gets the same exams. But for 9th through 12th standards, the end of semester exam is standardized. Modern School uses the Gujarat State Board exams. Other schools use the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) exams. A very few schools follow an international curriculum, such as the IB (International Baccalaureate -- also available in some U.S. schools).
These exams are run much like the SAT or AP exams. Instead of 60 to 80 students in a classroom, there are only 20 (one per desk), and students do not necessarily take exams at their own school. On Thursday, Modern School was hosting 300 students taking the Semester III Physics exam. Some came from as far away as Daman (10 km) and Silvassa (25 km). Students are randomly assigned to a classroom and a seat. The exams also have multiple forms. Each classroom is recorded on video as well.
The Semester I and Semester III exams are all "MCQ" (multiple choice questions), while Semester II and Semester IV are half MCQ and half written questions. The written questions are always graded by a teacher at a different school from the one the student attends. Semester IV exams cover two years worth of material (either 9th and 10th standard or 11th and 12th standard) and the "marks" determine a student's further education options. It's very serious stuff.
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| Each classroom is assigned a "Block" number -- it's written on the door in chalk, and a printed sign is posted as well. |
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| Usually students keep their shoes on in school. But for board exams, shoes must be left outside lest crib sheets be hidden in them. |
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