PANJIM: An impressive 80 per cent attendance was recorded during an online mock test held for students of Class X, aspiring to take admissions to Science or Diploma courses in Class XI, on Saturday.
The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) conducted the mock test for students across seven talukas.
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“A total of 1,329 students appeared for the mock tests which attributes to 80 per cent of total students registered for the exam,” GBSHSE Chairman Bhagirath Shetye told Herald.
Sattari reported highest 90 per cent attendance while Sanguem reported the least 55 per cent approximately, which the Goa Board claims could be attributed to various reasons.
The government had decided to give preference to students from Sattari, Bicholim, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Pernem and Dharbandoda for the mock test as the primary purpose of conducting it was to gauge the availability of connectivity and other requisites for answering the entrance test.
Shetye said, “Students answered from various locations including their residence. Goa Board, in what has been a major move, was also able to zero in on candidates who attempted to cheat during the mock test. Three students were denied access to the test mid-way on being caught cheating. While one of them shared his/her screen with another, another student was found to have shared the link with some other as the experts found it was logged in on two separate devices.”
All students had to keep their cameras on during the entire process. Certain students faced genuine issues as such they were allowed to shift to alternate spot to check for proper internet connection.
Meanwhile, the Goa Board will now prepare a report to be submitted to the government. Shetye said they will examine the attendance of students and the issues faced by them. The report will also include as to where the Goa Board can plug the issue.
The GBSHSE will further commence the process of registration for exams through online portal, from Monday.
