CBSE’s first proficiency test finds few takers

The first proficiency test held by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday saw a rather low turnout of students in the city.

The first proficiency test held by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday saw a rather low turnout of students in the city.

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The optional proficiency test has been introduced as part of the board’s on-going examination reforms. Students who have cleared their Class 10 can take the test.

At Rajhans Vidyalaya in Vile Parle, which was one of the examination centres, only 45 out of the 185 students who had registered for the test, took the maths test on Monday.

“We were expecting a huge turnout since it was the inaugural venture of the CBSE,” said Deepshikha Srivastava, principal, Rajhans Vidyalaya.

A circular issued by CBSE last September, stated that “the proposed proficiency test is being conducted with the broad objective of acting as a benchmark in testing the skills and higher mental abilities of students” and “providing feedback to students and parents on how well students have achieved the desired learning objectives”. The tests will quiz students on Class 9 and 10 syllabi with multiple-choice questions in maths, Hindi, science, social studies and English subjects.

More than 75,000 students had signed up for the test across the country.

This was the first year that Class 10 students had the option to take the board exam or the school final exam.

Students, who took the board exam, said they did not feel the need to take the proficiency test.

“What is the need to re-certify the knowledge I have gained over the last two years?” said Harsh Khara, 16, a student of RN Podar, Santacruz, who scored a cumulative grade point average of 10 in his CBSE board exam.

“I will be getting an official statement of marks from the board. I think the mark sheet will clearly reflect where I stand as far as my knowledge is concerned,” added Khara.

Students from Delhi Public School (DPS) in Nerul had a different reason to stay away from the exam.

“My students were assigned IIT Powai as their centre. How can you expect students to travel all the way from Navi Mumbai to Powai for five days at a stretch?” asked PC Chhabra, principal, DPS.