Chennai: The lack of adequate step marks, combined with a stringent evaluation process, has led several CBSE Class 12 students to reconsider opting for revaluation, applications for which commenced on Tuesday.
High Number of Answer Sheet Requests
This year, 4.04 lakh students applied for approximately 11.31 lakh scanned copies of their answer sheets. Upon analyzing these copies, students and teachers observed that grace marks for steps were minimal, and full marks were deducted for numericals with incorrect final answers. This marks a departure from the practice observed until last year, when teachers corrected answers manually and often provided partial credit for steps.
Introduction of On-Screen Marking
This year, the CBSE introduced on-screen marking (OSM) for Class 12 evaluation. Under this system, students' answer sheets were scanned and uploaded onto a digitally secured portal. The correction of answer sheets was conducted digitally based on a marking scheme, which is an answer key that determines the marks to be awarded for each answer.
Impact on Evaluators
School heads who spoke to the Times of India indicated that the digital process, introduced for the first time, limited evaluators' flexibility. Normally, teachers tend to be more liberal, especially for difficult examinations. However, with this entirely new mode of evaluation, teachers were cautious and adhered strictly to the marking scheme, awarding marks only as per the guidelines. A principal noted that the chances of grace marks being awarded during revaluation are extremely low.
The marking scheme was also very stringent. For instance, in the case of electromagnetic induction, a student who simply mentioned that 'a change in magnetic flux has resulted in the electromagnetic force'—which essentially conveys the same meaning—received no marks. R S Shanti, principal of Zion and Alwin Group of Schools, emphasized that students can and must fight for even 0.5 marks if necessary.
Skepticism Among Parents
Parents, however, are skeptical about the revaluation process. A parent of a student from KSN Higher Secondary School expressed concern that during revaluation, any minimal marks awarded for steps might be deducted, leading to a dip in scores. Therefore, it is prudent to apply for revaluation only for questions that students are absolutely certain of getting full marks.
Educationists' Perspective
Educationists also feel that marks are unlikely to increase significantly after revaluation. Balaji Sampath, an educationist, pointed out that CBSE has adopted a new system (OSM) and would want to prove that the system functioned well. Moreover, since the correction was done stringently, there is no guarantee that revaluation will be any more lenient.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages, and Eid 2026. You can also check: Gold Rate in Chennai, Silver Rate in Chennai, Bank Holidays in Chennai, Public Holidays in Chennai, Chennai AQI, Weather in Chennai, Petrol Price in Chennai, Diesel Price in Chennai, CNG Price in Chennai, LPG Price in Chennai.
