In the wake of the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday decided to call off the class 12^th board exams of 2021.

The decision to cancel the exams was taken in the high-powered meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to review all the possible methods of conducting exams.

However, now, the Centre and CBSE has put a full stop to the confusion and announced “this year Class 12 Board Exams will not take place as students’ safety is our primary concern.”

Meanwhile, on the results, PM Modi said, “it be prepared on the basis of well-defined criteria, in a fair and time-bound manner.”

Nevertheless, now the question arises of how students will be assessed for their Class 12^th. According to the sources, the results will be prepared on the basis of the internal assessment of class 9^th, 10^th and 11^th.  However, so far, no formula or a particular methodology has been revealed by the Ministry to calibrate the results.

Also Read: CBSE Class XII Board Exams cancelled by Centre amid Covid-19 crisis

If any student is not gratified with the results, then they can also be given a chance to appear for the examination once the situation will be normal.

On one hand the cancellation of Class 12^th Board Exams 2021 has come as a sigh of relief for the students, parents perhaps, it has its own repercussions too. The students who have plans to appear for the competitive exams are stressed to know on what basis will they get admission in a college, how it will affect their enrolment.

1. How cancellation of board exams will affect the entrance exam?

As the basis of the results reportedly is said to be an internal assessment of class 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th, it is evident that it would take a minimum of two months. Moreover, if a student wants to sit in for exams once it would be conducive, he/she will have to wait. If the result comes late, then the Delhi University’s and other prominent institutes’ entrance exams will be pushed further. In such a situation, children and parents have to be quite diligent so they can make their plans accordingly.

2. What would be its effect on college admission?

Though, PM has announced that the results will be out in a stipulated time, it is not ascertained yet by which date it will be declared. In such a situation, the timeline of admission to colleges will be affected. The two-ways of results declaration mentioned in Point 1 symbolizes that the admission process of institutes that begin in June will e stretched till October-November.

3. How to prepare for entrance exams?

There lies no doubt that a student would secure a seat on the basis of the entrance exam and for this one must start preparing from now. Apart from the core subjects, students must gather knowledge of the areas/disciplines they are interested to pursue further. Moreover, students must understand the application process of the institute and seek the help of their parents/mentors as there are few chances to get additional time and facilities.

4. Will it have any effect on the cut-off list released for admission to the college?

If the results are given through internal assessment then the percentage of the cut-off list can be kept very high. The rationale behind this is that the number of marks in the internal assessment could be marked high which is directly going to be proportional to the cut-off list. However, this will only harm the students, as their true potential will not be revealed on the basis of internal assessment.

Also Read: CBSE Board Exam 2021 Cancellation: Education Ministry likely to announce dates soon; 3 proposals wait for PMO’s approval

5. How will it impact the students who plan to study abroad?

Entrances to colleges located abroad are through the Standardized Admission Test (SAT). These tests are taken online. Usually, students reach their colleges abroad by June-July. To get admission there, they have to submit their final result number, which is not possible in the present situation. However, they would either have to intimate the college authorities about the same or can defer their plans till the situation gets normal.

6. What about the engineering and medical entrances?

As of now, no decision has been made over the engineering and medical entrance exams. Also, it seems a little hard to cancel these qualifying examinations as the students have been preparing for the same for a long to admission to their respective field colleges. Moreover, if the exams will be called off there are chances that the students who have cleared the exams will not get admission to their desired colleges and their entire year will go in vain.

Also Read: FICCI in favor of canceling 12th board exams due to Covid crisis