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Now, CBSE will implement an online exam,the Integrated Test Management System (ITMS), for Std X

January 29, 2013, 12:00 am

In an effort to increase transparency and provide a secure question paper delivery environment, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement an online exam management system from the current academic year. The Integrated Test Management System (ITMS) will help schools generate unique question papers online instantly for Std X’s Summative Assessment (SA-II).

However, this system will apply only to the school-based SA-II, thus ending the practice of CBSE sending CDs with sample question papers to schools. TOI had first reported about this online exam management project in November 2011.

CBSE gives Std X students the option to appear for either a board-based or school-based SA-II. While board-based SA-II will continue to be managed in the conventional way, for its school-based SA-II the CBSE is trying to give institutes a certain degree of independence.

A circular from the central board dated January 25 says ITMS is an innovative solution which "allows the CBSE affiliated schools to access question papers and download them in a transparent, secure and user-friendly manner". Since ITMS works on a web interface, schools will have to register themselves online from Feb 1-15. Then, from March 11, onwards they can start generating question papers online at the click of a button.

ITMS will provide each school with two sets of unique question papers for every major subject. With these question paper sets ready, schools will have three options. First, they can choose any one of the sets and administer the SA-II. Second, they can mix and match questions from those two sets and create a new paper. The final option is for schools to prepare their own question paper adhering to the weightage pattern given by CBSE. In case schools create their own question paper, a copy has to be emailed to CBSE within a week of the exam, for quality control and verification. Schools have been given the independence to design their own date sheet for school-based SA-II and hence the online delivery of question paper becomes vital. Now, schools can generate question papers just a day before or maybe on the day of the exam. The board-based SA-II starts from March 1 and many schools had planned to conduct school-based SA-II simultaneously, but with ITMS that won’t be possible. ITMS question paper delivery will start only from March 11, thus forcing schools to plan their date sheet all over again.

The essence of school-based SA-II is that papers are evaluated in-house. Now, ITMS will provide the marking scheme as well as the basis on which teachers can evaluate the answer papers. The marking scheme will be available online from March 29 onwards for Std X.

While the ITMS project has been in the works for well over a year, its implementation may undergo changes in the future. The board says "question papers for Std IX and X are being sent online to schools with the purpose of maintaining uniformity and standardization. Depending upon the feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders, the Board may review this policy, if need be".

Timely tests

Integrated Test Management System (ITMS) is a web-based application that will generate and deliver unique question papers to every school

ITMS is applicable only for school-based final exams conducted in Std IX and X

Earlier, CBSE sent CDs with 24 sample question papers for each subject, but now ITMS will take over

Schools can log on to ITMS online portal and generate a question paper within minutes

ITMS ensures highest grade of security as question paper can be printed just hours before the exam

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