-Dipta Joshi

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) saw a record number of students clear its secondary school certificate (SSC) aka class X board exams for the academic year 2020-21. At 99.95 percent this was the highest pass percentage of the SSC board so far.  Of the 15,75,752 students who were assessed by schools, 15,74,994 students passed the exam this year.

Announcing the results across the state’s nine divisions today, MSBSHSE officials said the Konkan division recorded 100 percent pass percentage with the Nagpur division following at 99.94 percent. The year also recorded 100 percent pass percentage in 27 different subjects. While 975 students scored 100 percent marks, 83,262 students scored more than 90 percent marks. Compared to the previous year, board results have improved by 4.65 percent this year.

Following the second wave of the pandemic hitting the state, state’s board exams that were scheduled April 29-May 20 had to be cancelled. Students were assessed and assigned marks on their marks in class IX and class X with both components carrying 50 percent weightage. The class X marks were further divided into two components – 30 percent for internal assessments and another 20 for homework etc. To clear the exams, students were expected to score at least 35 percent marks in each subject.

SSC students will now have the option to write the common entrance test (CET) while seeking admissions to class XI aka first year junior college (FYJC). Maharashtra requires class X students to seek fresh admissions into the state-run higher secondary classes XI-XII commonly referred to as junior college. Admissions to the state’s 7000 junior colleges are open to students of all boards – national (CBSE and CISCE) and international (IB and Cambridge). The state’s decision to conduct the CET will provide a level-playing field across all boards by including common subjects. The CET which will include 100-mark multiple choice questions (MCQ) covering English, maths, science and social science subjects is likely to take place before August 21. Set as per the state board’s class 10 syllabus, each of the four subjects will be assigned 25 marks each.

Also read: CBSE class XII results by July 31, moderation portal to open on Friday