A common question format for mathematics and science will be introduced in class XI from the coming 2013-14 academic session to bridge the gap among different boards.
This means that the boards can fix a specific number of objective type, analytical or subjective type questions, though the content can vary from one board to another.
The development comes after a sub-committee set up by the Central Board of School Education in the country finalised the common design of the question paper in these subjects for the benefit of all member boards as part of government’s efforts to address issues relating to examination reforms.
However, introducing a common design of question paper in class XII would take some time as Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor had said in Lok Sabha that the decision would depend on the feedback of the pilot of class XI and subject to the acceptance of all the state education boards.
Implementing a common design question paper was discussed at length at a committee in CBSE on June 28 last year following which the sub-committee was set up.
Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE) and the NCERT have already developed a common curriculum for mathematics and science, and almost all the boards have implemented it.