Examination reform reports

Secondary Education Commission 1952-53

The major recommendations regarding examinations are the following.

1.       The number of external examinations should be reduced.

2.       There should be minimization of subjectivity by introducing objective tests of attainment and by changing the type of questions.

3.       Cramming should be discouraged and rational understanding should be encouraged.

4.       It is undesirable to set two papers of 03 hours duration each on one day and the same day.

5.        In order to find out the pupil’s all-round progress, a proper system of school records should be maintained for each and every pupil.

6.        In the final assessment of the pupils due credit should be given to the internal tests and the school records of the pupils.

7.       The system of symbolic rather than numerical marking should be adopted for evaluating and grading the work of the pupils in external and internal examinations and in maintaining the school records. A five-point scale may be used: A (excellent), B (good), C (fair and average), D (Poor), E (very Poor).

8.        There should be only one public examination at the completion of secondary school course.

9.       The system of compartmental examination should be introduced at the final public examination.

10.   A candidate who has passed the examination and wishes to qualify in any additional subject(s) may appear at a subsequent examination.

11.   The certificate awarded should contain the results of the school tests in subjects as well as the gist’s of the school records besides the results of the public examination in different subjects.