PSEB introduces practical exam in English for Classes VI to XII

Jalandhar, December 1

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has introduced changes in the English exam pattern for the Classes VI to XII in the state. The decision has been taken to lighten the burden of students as well as to make them proficient in English reading, writing, speaking and listening.

As per the official letter released by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to all schools heads, it is stated that of the total 100 marks in English, 80 marks are allotted for the theory paper while 20 marks are allotted for practical exam. The exam will include continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) based on year-long school tests (10 marks), listening test (6 marks) and speaking test (4 marks).

Talking to The Tribune, District Mentor, English, Chander Shekhar, said in the speaking test, students would have a choice to narrate a story from the curriculum or speak on a cue card given by teacher.

He said the material for the listening and speaking tests had been prepared by the SCERT and it was available on the official site of the SCERT for download.

“An audio clip will be played for the listening test and students will have to answer questions based on the clip,” he said.

He said assessment of the practical would be internal and taken by English teachers of the school. “Various changes have been made this year in the exam patterns of English and social studies (SST). Syllabus have been reduced, questions shortlisted, paper’s pattern changed, simplified material prepared to help students, revision tests are going on and teachers have dedicated a particular day for specific problems like on every Wednesdays, they focus on the SST map work,” he said.

Chander Shekhar said students used to consider SST as “sara saal tension”, but with simplified material being provided to them and conducting a practical exam of 20 marks, the stress of students have reduced. “Now, they enjoy hearing audio clips of the map work and eventually it’s improving their listening skills,” he said. — OC

Allocation of marks

As per the official letter released by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to all schools heads, it is stated that of the total 100 marks in English, 80 marks are allotted for the theory paper while 20 marks are allotted for practical exam.

The exam will include continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) based on year-long school tests (10 marks), listening test (6 marks) and speaking test (4 marks).