KOLKATA: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) cancelled the ISC chemistry paper 1 examination barely an hour-and-half before start of examination on Monday. By that time, examinees had already started trickling in at their schools.
While CISCE did not immediately give reasons and said “unforeseen circumstances” had forced the cancellation, unconfirmed sources said the paper was leaked on social media platforms.
The exam has been rescheduled on March 21.
A circular sent to principals of all CISCE-affiliated schools at 12.30pm instructed that the question paper packets be handed over to the convener of each centre at the earliest. Most principals TOI spoke to couldn’t recollect any such incident in the recent past but all agreed that the reason must have been extremely grave.
In 2009, the ICSE geography exam was postponed after a question paper packet was wrongly opened at a centre in Bangalore on the day of history and civics exam.
It was around 12.30 in the afternoon when ISC examinees had started gathering in front of their schools for their chemistry examination on Monday when they came to know that it has been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Some schools circulated messages with a note telling students not to get disappointed.
There are around 15,000 candidates in Bengal who have chemistry. Most candidates at schools that TOI visited on Monday afternoon, though, were left disappointed. Schools started contacting students and parents immediately after receiving the circular. While some students had already reached their schools, others got the message on their way and returned home.
Heritage School principal Seema Sapru said, “We saw a mixed reaction among students. Some were sad while some were very happy as they felt this additional time will help them prepare better.”
Subhrajit Saha, a candidate who came to his school and learnt about the postponement, said: “Chemistry is a difficult subject that requires a lot of studying. I hadn’t prepared well but I am happy that it has been postponed as the move gives me more time to prepare. Though, it is frustrating to go through the same thing again but there is no option.”
Several principals said it could be difficult to hold on to patience and keep studying till the date of re-test. “Chemistry requires good memory to score marks. A lot of preparation is needed. If it has to be repeated then the energy level may not remain the same,” said a principal.
The ISC mathematics exam was held on Feb 20 which was to be followed by chemistry on Monday.
Some chemistry teachers expressed their concern about the rescheduled paper. “The exam was postponed at a very short notice. If the paper is a little tricky, then it would be difficult for average students who might face challenges in answering the new paper,” said a teacher.
This year, ISC exams started on Feb 12 and will continue till April 3.
Frank Anthony Public School principal Ian Myers said, “We asked our students not to worry. I am sure they will get themselves ready again.”
A student of a central Kolkata school, Sonia Jana, said, “As a student of science, my last paper was supposed to be computer science. I had booked tickets for a holiday. Now we are trying to cancel it.”
While CISCE did not immediately give reasons and said “unforeseen circumstances” had forced the cancellation, unconfirmed sources said the paper was leaked on social media platforms.
The exam has been rescheduled on March 21.
A circular sent to principals of all CISCE-affiliated schools at 12.30pm instructed that the question paper packets be handed over to the convener of each centre at the earliest. Most principals TOI spoke to couldn’t recollect any such incident in the recent past but all agreed that the reason must have been extremely grave.
In 2009, the ICSE geography exam was postponed after a question paper packet was wrongly opened at a centre in Bangalore on the day of history and civics exam.
It was around 12.30 in the afternoon when ISC examinees had started gathering in front of their schools for their chemistry examination on Monday when they came to know that it has been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Some schools circulated messages with a note telling students not to get disappointed.
There are around 15,000 candidates in Bengal who have chemistry. Most candidates at schools that TOI visited on Monday afternoon, though, were left disappointed. Schools started contacting students and parents immediately after receiving the circular. While some students had already reached their schools, others got the message on their way and returned home.
Heritage School principal Seema Sapru said, “We saw a mixed reaction among students. Some were sad while some were very happy as they felt this additional time will help them prepare better.”
Subhrajit Saha, a candidate who came to his school and learnt about the postponement, said: “Chemistry is a difficult subject that requires a lot of studying. I hadn’t prepared well but I am happy that it has been postponed as the move gives me more time to prepare. Though, it is frustrating to go through the same thing again but there is no option.”
Several principals said it could be difficult to hold on to patience and keep studying till the date of re-test. “Chemistry requires good memory to score marks. A lot of preparation is needed. If it has to be repeated then the energy level may not remain the same,” said a principal.
The ISC mathematics exam was held on Feb 20 which was to be followed by chemistry on Monday.
Some chemistry teachers expressed their concern about the rescheduled paper. “The exam was postponed at a very short notice. If the paper is a little tricky, then it would be difficult for average students who might face challenges in answering the new paper,” said a teacher.
This year, ISC exams started on Feb 12 and will continue till April 3.
Frank Anthony Public School principal Ian Myers said, “We asked our students not to worry. I am sure they will get themselves ready again.”
A student of a central Kolkata school, Sonia Jana, said, “As a student of science, my last paper was supposed to be computer science. I had booked tickets for a holiday. Now we are trying to cancel it.”