The Five states where students face the toughest exams are Tripura, Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal in their Class 10 and 12 state board examinations, an analysis of English and Mathematics question papers from 17 school education boards by Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), a standard-setting body under the NCERT, carried out the analysis, a first of its kind by the Union Government, over the past year in a bid to develop a formula for standardising assessment by school boards across the country. The results were recently made public in PARAKH’s latest report, ‘ Establishing Equivalence Across Boards.’
Boards with the Highest Proportion of Hard Questions
| S. No. | Name of the Board | Percentage of tough questions |
| 1 | Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) | 66.60% |
| 2 | Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) | 53.57% |
| 3 | Goa Board | 44.66% |
| 4 | Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) | 44.44% |
| 5 | West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) | 33.33% |
Most Difficult Board Exams in India
The report divided the questions into three levels: easy, medium, and hard. Easy questions are those that most students, having had the necessary learning opportunities, would correctly answer. These questions assess basic understanding and knowledge mastery. Medium questions require moderate understanding and application of knowledge aims at a substantial portion of learners but not as many as those answering easy questions, designed to assess deeper understanding and complex application of knowledge. Hard questions challenge a minority of learners, necessitating higher-order thinking skills with the ability to apply knowledge in novel or complex situations. These questions assess the depth of understanding and the capacity to evaluate the information appropriately.
Further report signifies that Tripura has the highest proportion of ‘hard’ questions in its exams. Maharashtra follows closely, with Goa, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal also featuring prominently among states with more challenging exams. These states constantly demand deeper understanding and problem-solving skills from students.
It also revealed that question papers from 17 educational boards that include Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Manipur, Odisha, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala, mainly fell within the ‘easy to medium’ difficulty range. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which oversees ICSE and ISC exams is a part of this analysis.
What does an Education Expert say?
Education experts had a thorough review of the board exam structure and a standardized evaluation process ensuring fair assessment of students’ abilities. They stress the need to balance rigorous evaluation with students’ overall well-being and holistic development.
“The findings also highlighted a critical need for balancing academic rigour with the well-being of students,” stated an educational expert. “This disparity could undermine the equitable opportunities that all students deserve.”
“The report underscores the importance of standardizing examination patterns across states,” another expert noted. “While challenging exams may identify top talent, less stringent assessments can provide a better overall learning experience, ultimately benefiting students’ holistic development.”
The debate continues as stakeholders provide solutions for promoting both academic excellence and equitable opportunities. As the discussion on exam standards intensifies, it becomes crucial to find a path forward that supports students’ academic and personal growth equally.
In conclusion, the PARAKH report opens up crucial discussions about the future of educational assessments in India. As educators and policymakers revisit these findings, the goal remains clear fostering an environment where rigorous academic standards and student well-being co-exist seamlessly.
