Mistakes in HSC question papers: board to award 11 marks

There were two mistakes in the mathematics and statistics paper held on February 28, so the board has decided to give seven marks to students attempting questions with errors.

Acknowledging the printing mistakes in the mathematics and chemistry question papers of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has decided to award 11 marks in total to the students who have attempted those questions.

Students-appeared-for-their-HSC-exams-in-Thane-Praful-Gangurde-HT-photo

There were two mistakes in the mathematics and statistics paper held on February 28, so the board has decided to give seven marks to students attempting questions with errors. Similarly, four marks will be given to those who attempted a couple of wrong questions in the chemistry paper held on March 4.

The decision has been made for the benefit of the students, said Gangadhar Mhamane, chairperson of the state board. “When the experts brought the errors to our notice, we decided to award full marks for those questions,” said Mhamane, adding, “We had to ensure students do not pay the price for mistakes made by the paper-setters.”

The mistakes were brought to the board’s notice by the board of studies of maths and chemistry. The members of the board met on March 1 to analyse the question paper and subject experts pointed out the mistakes. “There were mistakes in the sub-questions under question number one and six in the mathematics and statistics paper,” said a member of the maths board of studies.

“We were puzzled when we saw these mistakes in the paper. I spent some time thinking whether I had missed out on studying some notation or concept. I am glad that the board has accepted the mistakes and we will get marks for it,” said a commerce student of RA Podar College, Matunga, who had appeared for the exam.

After taking the exams, several students had complained to the board. Following this, rumours spread via social networking sites that the board will conduct a re-exam for maths. However, Gangadhar Mhamane, chairperson of the state board, clarified that re-exams will not be held.

“We have instructed our moderators to award marks for those questions while examining the papers. Re-examination will not be held,” said Mhamane.