CHENNAI: There will be only multiple choice questions (MCQs) in the objective section for students of Classes XI and XII in the coming state board exams, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations (TNDGE) clarified on Tuesday, in yet another change.This follows apprehensions raised by parents and students over last-minute question pattern change. In the last week of January, TNDGE had released a model question paper pattern, saying the Part-A paper for mathematics and science will include fill in the blanks, match the following and assertion-reasoning type questions.The sudden change in question pattern led to confusion among all stake holders. Even teachers in private matriculation schools were unable to comprehend the pattern and frame question papers for model and revision tests. Guides or model question papers from private publishing houses were also unavailable.The TNDGE on Tuesday sent a circular to all Chief Educational Officers (CEO), clarifying the changes made. Every objective question will have four options and students should choose the right answer. Some subjects will have match the following-type questions with four options. There will be no ‘fill in the blanks’.More than 17 lakh Class XI and XII students in private and government schools, following the Samacheer Kalvi syllabus, are set to take the board exams scheduled for next month and schools and parents have criticised the government for making last-minute changes.R Vishalakshi of the Tamil Nadu Private Matriculation Schools Association said they were taking a chance. “Students, even toppers, will be taken aback by seeing a new question directly in the board exam. Even those who can come to a logical conclusion, will tend to get confused as they don't have adequate practice in these questions,” she added. S Arumainathan of the TN Students’ Parents Welfare Association said government officials in their effort to experiment a few ideas had put students under unnecessary stress. Parents are also worried about their children’s scores based on which college admissions are made. “Though changes are welcome, the government should introduce them at lower classes so that students get enough time to prepare themselves for board exams in higher classes,” he said.

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