The Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Tuesday released an advisory for students appearing for the written examination on February 26.

Abiding by the Bombay High Court directives, the board will allow the use of calculators for students with learning disabilities (Dyslexia-Dysgraphia-Dyscalculia), students who have opted for maths and commerce students who have opted for book-keeping and accountancy.

However, calculators on mobile phones will however not be allowed, a press release issued by the board said.

Examination for the Information Technology paper will be conducted online. A total of 56,823 students are scheduled to appear for this examination.

Exam for minimum competency-based vocational course (MCVC) of the HSC will be as per the new syllabus. Students of the old syllabus, (applicable only for MCVC students) who are repeaters, will have the last chance to clear the old course in March 2009.

To prevent mass copying, the board has developed a system of multiple question paper. Students appearing for the examination in one hall will get a different set of questions. The board has four set of question papers viz A,B,C,D. Roll number one student will get 'A' set of question paper while roll number two student will get 'B' set of question paper.

The multiple question paper system will be followed for English the subject.

Students will have 40 marks for projects (environment education) and written test for 60 marks. Students will need to obtain 14 marks for project work (practical subject) and 21 for written.

The exams will be conducted simultaneously at Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik and Latur divisional boards.

Manasi Saraf-Joshi/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication