Here’s a good for CBSE students. 

Now, CBSE students will get as many as five attempts to clear their exams. The announcement was made by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), under which students of classes IX and X from the academic year 2009-10 will get five attempts to improve their grades. Students can sit for the exam again after one month.

The CBSE has also cleared that the ‘Compartment or Fail’ pattern will be eliminated from the current academic session. All the principles of CBSE schools has been informed that if any students gets E1 or E2 grade in any subject, he/she will be allowed to re-appear for the exam.

The circular issued by CBSE, in consultation with the HRD ministry, stated, “For example, a student who appeared in the board examination in March 2010, can reappear in July 2010, March 2011, July 2011, March 2012 and July 2012 only in subjects in which he/she has got grade E1 or E2 till he/she gets qualifying grades (D and above) in all the subjects excluding additional subject as per scheme of studies and becomes eligible for award of qualifying certificate.”

While talking to reporters, an official from CBSE said, “Schools begin ranking students, on the basis of their marks, from as early as their pre-primary years. Such a drive has several negative effects on learning. Students, parents and society at large become anxious in the race to acquire more and more marks in examinations which leads to an extremely stressful existence.”

He also added, “This shortcoming can be overcome if the students are placed in ability bands that represent range of scores.”