Analysis of Secondary Grade Mathematics Question Papers of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Punjab

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of mathematics
question papers of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education
(BISE) for grade 9 and 10 (secondary level) as per national curriculum
2006. The BISE question papers in the subject of mathematics of grade
IX-X for the two academic years 2012 and 2013 were analyzed in terms
of the weightage of different cognitive abilities suggested in the national
curriculum. The analysis was made on the basis of the basic principles of
test item construction found in literature and the weightage of various
cognitive abilities narrated in national curriculum. It was found that
question papers were largely assessing students’ lower cognitive abilities
(knowledge and comprehension); a few items were assessing higher
cognitive abilities (application and analysis). Since the cognitive abilities
of synthesis and evaluation were not desired to assess in the national
curriculum (2006) of mathematics, so these were ignored. Some of the
questions were weak in terms of language and format/style. The study
suggests that teachers should be aware of the national curriculum
document with special reference to assessment and BISE should organize
intensive training for teachers in test item construction, especially those
involved in developing mathematics question papers for BISE