CBSE to use advanced tech to check exam irregularities

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to deploy advanced data analytics in an effort to curb unfair practices during exams. 

“While all the efforts are being made to prevent the use of unfair means practices during the conduct of examinations in physical terms through monitoring by appointing external observers/flying squads and use of CCTV, the CBSE has decided further to improve upon it by using advance data analytics to detect cases/centres while there is a high probability of recourse to unfair means during examinations," said Antriksh Johri, the director of IT at CBSE.

"The CBSE will use advanced data analytics to detect, respond and therefore, in the long run, prevent any irregularities in academic testing across all major CBSE administered exams in the country," he added.

A pilot analysis of the process was done during January 2021 Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) examination in collaboration with the Central Square Foundation and Playpower Labs to develop algorithms to identify suspicious data patterns at the centre and the individual test-taker level.

"Based on the analysis results and the algorithms developed, CBSE has decided that such analysis will be extended to other administered examinations," Johri said.

He said based on such analysis, CBSE aims to identify examination centres where the data indicates the existence of malpractices during the conduct of examinations.

"This will be used to strengthen the reliability of National Achievement Survey, Central Teachers Eligibility Test and board examinations conducted by CBSE," Johri said.

Meanwhile, CBSE has announced that will begin term-1 board exam for class 10 and class 12 from 30 November and 1 December.

The board is conducting the exams in two phases for the first time owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CBSE term-1 examination will be held objectively, that is the question paper will have Multiple Choice Question (MCQ), while term-2 to be carried out subjectively – each covering 50% of the curriculum.