Central Board of Secondary Education has begun the process of evaluating Class 10 board exam answer sheets online for the first time. The idea was introduced in 2012, but will digitized marking and online evaluation pattern will be used for the first time for the March 2014 exams. The online assessment pattern will be implemented in two phases: Phase I for Class 10 students as less students appear for the now optional board exams and Phase II for Class 12. Special software has been created for CBSE to enable easy and accurate assessment of answer sheets, digitally.
The answer sheets are handed over to the software provider, where they are scanned and ready to be evaluated by trained examiners. All security measures are taken to insure smooth transaction of the answer sheets from hard copy to soft copy and prevent any scope of cheating.? Unique bar code stickers are attached to the answer sheets under guidance of the Chief Secrecy Officer of board examinations.
The new online evaluation system has multiple benefits. According to officials, this process should lead to error free evaluation. Also digital evaluations will increase speed, quality, and transparency in the assessment process. Online marking will remove any risk of errors in totaling as only one section can be corrected at a time. The digital storage software will also make it easier to retrieve any specific answer sheet, if required.