Thiruvananthapuram: The model examination for the higher secondary plus-one courses would be held from 31 August to 4 September in Kerala so that the students get familiar with the likely question pattern.
The students would be allowed to write the exams online at their homes in view of the COVID-19 threat. They could access the question papers from the higher secondary portal (www.dhsekerala.gov.in) on the respective days.
A meeting would be held on 28 August with the higher secondary officials, regarding the examination.
First-year exams from Sept 6
Meanwhile, the first-year higher secondary examination will begin on September 6 and will end on September 16, 2021. The admit cards will be available for download from August 27.
Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the class rooms and the school premises would be cleaned and sanitized on 2, 3 and 4 September, with public participation, before the exam begins on 6 September.
A total of 2,027 exam centers have been allotted for the first-year exams. There are 8 exam centres in the Gulf region, 9 in Lakshadweep and 6 in Mahe.
Up to 20 students would be allowed to sit in a single exam hall. Special rooms will be arranged for students who test positive for COVID-19.
The answer scripts of these students would be secured in separate envelops as per the pandemic protocols. There would be a cool-off time of 20 minutes before the commencement of the exam.
More optional questions
Just like the Plus-One model examination, there would be more number of questions from which the students can choose. In case the student attempts more questions than what is required, the best among them would be considered for the final score.
The questions are set in a way which allows the student to score good marks even if they study only the focus areas.
Complaints galore
There have been complaints about conducting the Plus-One model exam online. As two exams have been scheduled in a day, the students have to spend up to 6 hours online. The teachers say that most students are not accessible to expensive internet data packages that would allow the latter to stay online for such long periods. Besides, the students have to reach the schools on 5 September, a Sunday, to receive the hall ticket as the model exams gets over only the previous day. The teachers say that several students are either Covid positive or are in quarantine.
SAY results delayed
Meanwhile, the results of the Plus-Two SAY exams that were conducted a few weeks ago are delayed. The rule states that the students who do not pass this exam have to write the Plus-One exam again to qualify for higher studies. The valuation of the SAY exams was completed only on 27 August.
Teachers and parents are now worried that the students who do not pass this exam would miss the Plus-One exams due to the scheduling.