LAHORE: Mistakes/errors in the question papers of ongoing class-IX and the recently-concluded class-X annual examinations under aegis of the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education have confused a large number of students.

Some mistakes in question papers of class-IX (physics) and class-X (English, biology and chemistry) were reported by students to superintendents, deputy superintendents and invigilators while attempting papers at scores of examination centres established by the BISE in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and other cities. However, the officials deputed at examination centres couldn’t satisfy students.

According to senior BISE officials, the students will be compensated accordingly for the reported mistakes/errors in question papers.

BISE says students will be compensated

“The matter will be investigated in depth and those found involved in negligence will be dealt with an iron hand,” BISE Controller Nasir Jameel told Dawn on Sunday.

Students narrate a major mistake in the physics paper (class-IX ongoing annual exams) held on March 22 that not only disturbed them mentally but also wasted their precious time.

“The question No-5 (section-2) in physics paper was confusing. The question was: What do you mean by centripetal force and drive this equation. Continuing this question with a comma, KE (Kinetic Energy): 1/2mv square, this question confused all -- whether this question is to be solved with the equation of centripetal force or the KE,” stated a student (name not being mentioned to protect identity).

He said since the time was limited, many students solved the question with two equations considering that examiner might have sought solving this with both separately. Some solved the question using centripetal force equation alone and some with the KE equation.

“When we asked the invigilators, they also got confused and advised us to attempt the question with both equations separately. It means we have to attempt two questions from one and it took a lot of time,” he added. He said solving the question with centripetal force equation took a brief duration, while attempting this with KE equation took enough time. “And those who solved this question separately took too much time. The examiners also told us that don’t worry about it as the BISE would give full marks if their answer is correct,” the student said.

While physics paper of class-IX exams was troublesome, there were reports of mistakes/errors in the question papers of English, biology and chemistry in the recently-concluded class-X exams.

In English paper, certain mistakes were reported while the four options of optional questions related to number of bones, sexual reproductive health, etc in biology were also wrong. Some mistakes in the chemistry paper also confused the students at large.

“It seems that no one checked the question papers before sending them to examination centres for distributing among candidates. Had the papers been checked properly before distribution, the mistakes/errors could have averted,” another student said.

He said the BISE chairman and other officials concerned should take notice of the situation and take urgent steps to improve the examination system. “We must be compensated with additional numbers as it is the fault of the BISE and not ours,” he demanded.

Taking to Dawn, BISE controller Nasir Jamil dispelled the impression of massive negligence on the part of the BISE. “Our boards’ exam system is very reliable as it involves extensive exercise in paper setting, marking and compiling results. Each paper setting involves input from all BISEs in Punjab,” he claimed.

Mr Jamil however admitted that errors/mistakes sometime happened in a system where hundreds of thousands of students continued to appear in the exams held throughout the year.

The controller said since the errors/mistakes were noted already, the BISE would ask the examiners to follow the instructions while awarding marks.

“In physics paper of class-IX, the examiner will be asked to accept answers (if correct) in both equations (centripetal and KE) and award full marks to students. Similar instructions are also for other mistakes in papers (if found correct),” he explained.

He assured that students would not have to face any loss.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017