Chennai: Amid technical glitches and stringent corrections this year, CBSE Class XII students looking to apply for revaluation are encountering a new problem — inconsistencies in answer keys and a lack of clarity on whether they will regain lost marks.
Students Report Correct Answers Marked Wrong
Some students have reported that answers marked as incorrect were actually correct, but they differed from those in the answer key used for evaluation. School heads noted that the answer key itself contained inconsistencies.
Physics Paper: Two Methods, One Answer Key
In the physics set 1 paper, a question on vector electric fields had two possible solution methods, leading to two different sets of answers. However, the answer key listed only one set. A principal of a school in Adyar explained: “The physics question can be answered theoretically and numerically, both giving two different possibilities. But since only one answer is provided, there is no guarantee that the other set will be considered. The student, while applying for revaluation, needs to clearly mention the methodology used and provide reasoning. Whether they will get marks or not is uncertain.”
Math Paper: Similar Issue
A question in the math paper also had a similar inconsistency, with the answer key providing two values. A student who did not include the second value may have lost marks.
On-Screen Marking Adds to Confusion
This year, CBSE introduced on-screen marking for Class XII evaluation, where answer sheets were scanned and uploaded onto a digitally secured portal. A student from KSN Higher Secondary School said: “The problem is that the board is likely to use the same marking scheme answer key for revaluation. Even teachers are unsure whether we will get our marks.”
Educationists Advise Caution
Educationists suggest that students should explore all possible options in a question and present all possible answers if the problem is unclear. Balaji Sampath, an educationist, remarked: “In the past, there have been several instances of CBSE not wording its questions properly, resulting in more than one answer.”
