Nagpur: Starting from 2019-20 academic session, CBSE Std X students will have the option for appearing for an easier version of mathematics test in their crucial board exams. To be officially called Mathematics-Basic, it has been introduced keeping in mind suggestions made for exam reforms in a paper that was part of the National Curriculum Framework. The board made the announcement on Thursday.CBSE has taken this decision to allow students who do not want to pursue maths, which they consider as a tough subject, for higher education. However, those intending to appear for JEE after Std XII will have to compulsorily opt for the regular Standard version. Moreover, Basic students will not be allowed to take up maths in Std XI.The students will have to make the choice while filling the exam form.Text books for Basic and Standard will remain the same. However, students appearing in the first category will get an easier paper to solve.A senior CBSE official told TOI that the board’s latest initiative should not be construed as two separate subjects. “The syllabus, textbook and teaching format will remain the same. The only difference is the question paper’s difficulty level. For this, sample question papers will be made available to schools soon which will give students a clear idea on what to expect,” said the CBSE official.Kakali Bagchi, a Kolkata-based CBSE maths resource person, said not splitting it into two subjects was a better way of implementing the initiative. “Let all students study in the same atmosphere and only at the end should the decision be taken on which type of question paper to solve. Studying the subject for an entire year will enable them to take an informed decision,” she said.Shilpee Ganguly, principal of Centre Point School (Katol Road) and who also teaches maths to higher classes, feels that the same initiative can be extended to other subjects. “The success of the maths experiment will depend on how it is perceived by parents and students. It is also possible that students may not like being identified as someone who appeared for an easy version of the exam,” she said.Another academician felt the move will help students deal with the stress of exams. “It’s a great initiative by CBSE,” said Anmol Badjatia, principal of Jain International School.But, with the textbook remaining same for both Basic and Standard, Reena Marwah, an academician who manages her own maths training academy, is not convinced by this “two tier system”. “Regardless, since it has been implemented the onus will be on schools to really put their effort behind every student. The schools must also give an honest advice to students about which type of exam to opt for,” she said.SOLVE THE MATHS: NEW BASIC VS OLD STANDARDWhat’s the change?CBSE Std X students will have an option to appear for an easier version of math in 2020 board examWill there be separate books/classes/curriculum?No. All students will be taught the same course.Why is it being promoted as two different types of exams?CBSE has clarified to TOI that it is not offering two different subjects but two different evaluation options for the same subjectHow hard will the Standard version be?It will remain the same as the current versionWill Basic students be allowed admission to continue with math in Std XI?No. Students will have to appear for Standard if they want to take math in Std XIWill Maharashtra state board accept Basic for Std XI admission?So far the state board has not made any official comment. However, even when SSC had an easy math option, they did not allow such students to take up math in Std XICan a student opt for both exams?No.If a student appears for Basic in 2020, can s/he upgrade?Yes, but only if you pass the Basic exam. After results are announced, you will have to appear for Standard too in the Compartment Exam held in July.When does a student make the choice?At the time of filling examination form

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