Back-up question paper to tackle leaks, zig-zag distribution: What’s in store for West Bengal HS semester 3 exams

In a press conference on Wednesday, Council president Chiranjib Bhattacharya informed that the second set of question papers would only be used in the event of a confirmed report of a question paper leak or malpractice. The extra sets have been prepared for major subjects only, he said.

“The move is meant to maintain the sanctity of the examination process,” said Bhattacharya.

He also said that cyber crime police have been instructed to monitor social media. Invigilators have also been informed not to unseal the backup packets unless informed.

Also, the Council has decided that the question papers will be distributed in an ‘S’-shaped or zig-zag seating pattern so that candidates sitting next to each other will not have the questions in the same format.

According to council officials, four different sets of question papers will be distributed, with sets A and B going to the two students on the first bench and sets C and D to the two on the second bench. The alternating pattern will continue throughout the classroom. A set of question papers will still be placed at the designated spot even if a student is absent so as not to break the pattern. Also, during the examination, no student will be allowed to use the washrooms.

Question papers will reach supervisors by 9:40 am, packed in sealed cartons and non-transparent pouches, and opened in front of the candidates at 9.55 am. There will be at least two invigilators per hall, with one invigilator assigned to every 20 candidates after the papers are distributed.

Each centre will have at least two CCTV cameras, one at the entrance and another inside the confidential supervisor’s room, with footage retained until October 22. According to Council authorities, adequate security measures are being put in place.

Electronic gadgets, like mobile phones and scientific calculators, are banned during the examinations. If any candidate is found with them, all of their examinations would be cancelled, officials said.

There will also be metal detectors with which the students will be frisked by staff in the presence of police, who will intervene only if a student refuses to cooperate.

In mid-April, the WBCHSE had announced the adoption of the semester system for classes 11 and 12 across state-run and state-aided schools. Under the new system, the higher secondary or 10+2 course now comprises four parts — semester 1, 2, 3, and 4.

According to the notice, while class 11 has been divided into semesters 1 and 2, class 12 has been divided into semesters 3 and 4.

The timing for exams is from 10 am to 11:15 am, while vocational exams are 10 am to 10:45 am. Students are expected to report by 9 am and entry will be barred by 10:30 am. They cannot leave before the exam ends, unless it is an emergency.

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