CBSE class 10 exams: ‘It’s the confusion not the system that causes problems’

Board exams are a better option if you want time to focus solely on studies and marks, but CCE did help me. It’s hard to compare the two as both teach you skills that are important in life. It’s the confusion, not the system that causes problems.

When I entered Class 10, things changed. Board exams were made optional and we turned into guinea pigs for a brand new system called Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation.

The CBSE board has withdrawn its optional policy, making 10th public exams mandatory from 2018. Added to this, the board intends to extend third language lessons till class 10, and the language will have to be India. (Vipin Kumar/ HT File Photo)

Everyone, including our teachers, was baffled. And every other day brought new news. They not only changed the course but also changed the grading system to CGPA, which was a new for all of us.

Suddenly, there were new subjects to study, projects to make, reading tests, listening tests — it got chaotic. I agree that the thought behind the change was to make studies inclusive of overall growth, but our stress levels were at an all-time high.

I remember going home one day and crying as I got tongue-tied during my extempore session. There was the constant fear that even a small mistake might cost me my grades.

Read | Class 10 CBSE board exams mandatory from 2018, to include third language paper too

However, once we realised that we had no option but to deal with the system, we learnt to cope. We focused on making our projects better. It also helped me get out of my shell as we had to speak or make presentations in front of the class and take part in co-curricular activities.

Class 10 CCE certainly did not warm me up for the stress which I had to face while giving boards in Class 12, my first public exam. However, it did teach me how to make and organise my notes and present my assignments in order to score higher.

Board exams are a better option if you want time to focus solely on studies and marks, but CCE did help me. It’s hard to compare the two as both teach you skills that are important in life. It’s the confusion, not the system that causes problems.

(Shivani Dixit cleared Class 10 in 2011, the first batch to go through Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation and chose between school exams and the CBSE board exams. She picked school exams)