EDU REFORMS: Students took the open-book and closed-book tests in the same subject on consecutive days to chec... Read More

MYSURU: In a first in the state, a Mysuru school held open-book tests in different subjects for classes 5 to 10.

The move comes amid opposition to education minister N Mahesh’s suggestion that open-book exams be held at the primary and secondary levels, with academicians saying students are not yet ready for such modern methods . The school held closed-book and openbook tests on the same subjects on consecutive days and teachers’ verdict was: “The students looked more relaxed and confident during and after the open-book test”.

On Tuesday, 150 students of Nrupatunga Kannada School in Ramakrishnanagar took the open-book test, a day after the closed-book test on the same subject on Monday. The tests were held on consecutive days to look at the pros and cons of the proposed exam system and to gauge students’ acceptance. The school is run by Kannada Vikasa Shaikshanika Samajika Samskrita Santhe.

“Both examinations were for 25 marks. The duration was 60 minutes. One word, one sentence and essay-type questions were asked in both. The students were a little tense about the closed-book examination. But on Tuesday, at the time of the openbook exam, all students seemed to be relaxed and confident,” said SR Sudarshana, secretary of the school.

“In the open-book examination, we asked questions of two types,” added Sudarshana. “Fifty per cent of the questions were direct and students were able to find direct answers in the textbooks. But the rest were indirect in nature. These questions required application of knowledge. We conducted the exam without giving any notes,” he explained. Students of classes 5 and 6 took the test for Kannada, 7 for Hindi, 8 for social science, 9 for English and 10 students for science.

Nrupatunga high school headmistress Seetha Kumari said she received positive feedback from students.

“They were confident both outside and inside the examination hall. After coming out of the hall, there were no signs of stress on their faces,” she pointed out.

