PUNE: Oral and practical examination of the higher secondary certificate (HSC) state board students started from Monday and most students and parents were relieved that the Covid situation was much better so they would reach schools and junior colleges without any fear in mind and attempt the exam without tension.
The schools also said the exams were conducted in batches and they would go on till March 3. Rajendra Zunjarrao, principal of Modern College of Science Arts and Commerce, said, “We had prepared a time table for an oral exam for arts and commerce students and practical exam for science students. Accordingly, the students started coming for practical and oral exams from Monday. There are small batches so that social distancing is maintained. The most important thing is that there is buzz in the college once again and everybody is excited.”
The exams were not conducted last year and the students were marked based on the average of marks in the previous three years. So, the students missed out on written as well as practical exams. Now, the state board said the exams would be held in offline mode, hence all the students are making sure they attend the practical and oral tests in college.
Akshay Raut, a Std XII student, said, “The exam environment has set in so we are now concentrating on exams for the next one month.”
A parent of Std XII student Swati Marathe said, “Covid cases have also subsided, which gives us a sense of relief and we are not hesitant to send our daughter to school for all the preparations for the main exam. She attempted the practicals on Monday.”
Leena Talathi, principal of MS Golwalkar school, said practical exams for Std X would start next week and the school was preparing to conduct them. Talathi said, “All our students are willing to come and give the exam. Classes are still going on and we are doing the last stage revision, mock tests in the school so that they are ready for the exam.”
