How to prepare students for online exams

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic sent the world into quarantine, our social and professional lives have rapidly shifted online. Students are also no exception. Schools have shifted from physical classes to virtual classrooms, which, through many hiccups and stumbles along the way, have become the norm in the new life. Not only class lessons, many exams, which used to be held in centres have also shifted to the online mode. So far, many of them have either been cancelled, postponed, switched other modes of assessment, or carried out with great precaution in centres.

CBSE’s new scheme for conducting board exams and assessment for 2021-2022 batch relies largely on the online platform. According to this scheme, the two term exams that are firstly planned for offline centres and schools, will be shifted to the online mode of examination if the conditions don’t permit offline appearances. Here’s how your children can prepare for a smooth experience during online exams.

Preparing for online exams
For many students, giving exams online will be a brand-new experience. The discomfort of coping with the unfamiliarity of the process while dealing with the stress of board exams can be quite stressful for them. It is important to take some preparations for the exam to alleviate the stress and anxiety. Encourage your child to follow these steps.

Participate in dry runs and mock tests to get a better understanding of the paper pattern and structure.
Read through the Examinee Instructions and FAQs to help you through any test setup and/or disruption
Check you have all the required writing material (approved by the Boad) available with you and no other materials are present in your vicinity.
Confirm you have the correct and valid Login ID and Password for logging into the system.
Make sure that you have a proper uninterrupted connection to the internet and the power supply.
Ensure that the webcam is securely connected and your face is clearly shown through it. Don’t sit with light sources behind you, which will make your face fall in shadows and hamper visibility.
Check the speed of your computer. It should be fast enough to support the online test portal.
Talk to other members of your family beforehand to make sure you do not share the internet bandwidth during course of the test.

Decorum during the exam
Just like physical offline exams, there is a decorum that needs to be maintained during online tests. Encourage your kids to follow the guidelines shared at the beginning of the test and keep the following pointers in mind:

Accept the terms and conditions displayed on your console.
Keep track of the test timer, look for any onscreen messages and respond immediately as per the message received.
Avoid covering the webcam at any point throughout the test or leaving the computer/test site ahead of allotted test end time.
Do not share your screen with anybody
Do not use your mobile phone or any other communication device during the course of the Test.
Avoid changing the computer / laptop already tested by you and made ready during dry run check, for actual test
Do not have anybody else present in the test taking room apart from yourself as this will lead to your disqualification.
Do not move away from your computer and webcam range.
Do not panic if you experience network issues. Simply taking a screenshot of the error can be helpful for redressal.
Don’t forget to click submit.