Pathanamthitta: The pattern of question papers for exams up to Class 10 under the state syllabus is all set to change. With an increase in the number of questions requiring critical thinking and analytical responses, exams are likely to become more challenging.

The new pattern will be implemented starting from the Onam examinations, which begin on Monday. 

However, the change in question format has not been effectively communicated to students. It was only during cluster meetings conducted online on Wednesday and Thursday that teachers were informed of the change. After these online meetings, classes were held only on Saturday, and that too only for high schools. In districts like Thrissur, classes were cancelled due to heavy rains.

Students have been preparing based on the pattern of previous exams. Facing question papers in an unfamiliar format may lead to confusion and anxiety among them.

Teachers too have expressed concern over the last-minute change in question pattern.

One commonly included question format, the "match the following" section, has also been revised. Previously, matching four items correctly would earn four marks. Now, even if four items are matched correctly, only one mark will be awarded. Earlier, students had to write the correct matching answers, but from now on, just writing the number of the correct answer will suffice.

Earlier, students were given the freedom to choose which questions to answer from a given set. For example, if it was instructed to answer six out of eight questions, students could choose any six. Now, the first four questions must compulsorily be answered, and the remaining two must be selected from the last four.

This change in question style is said to be part of an effort to enhance students’ preparedness for national-level assessments such as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), where Kerala aims to perform better.

During the last academic year, special classes and mock exams were conducted in preparation for the NAS. The current changes in question patterns are said to follow the same model as those previous exams.

Teachers were informed that 30% of the questions would be easy. The remaining 70% will not be as simple for average students. Among these, 20% will be of high standard, designed to promote analytical thinking, critical reasoning and value-based understanding.