The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is using its new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board exam evaluations. This digital process faced scrutiny after recent exam results showed a drop in pass percentages. Concerns arose regarding scanned answer sheets with unclear handwriting and potential errors in checking or roll numbers.
OSM System Faces Questions
The pass percentage for Class 12 exams fell to 85.20% this year, down from 88.39% previously. Reports circulated online suggesting issues with the OSM system's accuracy. These reports fueled questions about the effectiveness of digital evaluation.
CBSE Not First to Adopt OSM
However, the use of OSM is not new to India's education sector. Many other established organizations use similar digital evaluation methods. These include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Major technical universities also employ OSM effectively.
Benefits of On-Screen Marking
The core principle of OSM aims to reduce human errors. It prevents mistakes in calculating scores. It also ensures examiners do not miss evaluating entire pages of answer scripts. This leads to more standardized and accurate assessments.
Organizations Using OSM
Board Examinations
CBSE implemented OSM for Class 12 answer sheets to ensure accuracy. The system allows for standardized evaluation. It also enables regional cross-comparisons. Manual calculation errors are minimized. Class 10 examinations continue using traditional methods.
Several state school boards also use OSM. This includes Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan and the TNDGE Tamil Nadu School Board. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh state school boards use it for high-turnout courses.
Civil Services Exams
The UPSC uses secure OSM portals for its Civil Services exams. This applies to scoring descriptive essays and optional subjects. These exams are for selecting candidates for IAS and IPS positions.
State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) also utilize OSM. Organizations like MPSC, KPSC, TNPSC, and GPSC use it. They apply OSM for marking Gazetted Probationers Mains examinations.
Professional Exams
The ICAI uses OSM for its CA Intermediate and CA Final exams. Descriptive answer papers are scanned and marked digitally. This ensures adherence to the central marking system.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and ICMAI also employ OSM. They use the system for evaluating exams for executives and professionals.
