Wednesday 1 May 2013

Class 9, 10 guess, model papers selling like hot cakes

Lahore, Feb 22, 2008: Publishers and shopkeepers are doing a roaring business as the sale of different kinds of guess papers and model papers of various subjects of class IX and X is at peak in view of upcoming matriculation examination 2008.

A visit to the hub of stationery items of the country, Urdu Bazaar, showed that the trend of using guess papers and model papers was very high among students, both from the government and private schools.

Guess papers provide selection of a number of important questions from different exercises and sometimes some questions are marked as "sure shot" through which it is claimed that these questions surely appear in the examination.

Model papers offer different solved and unsolved exercises of different subjects and make students familiar with pattern of the question papers. Model papers are available in form of books for different subjects,

Price of each book of model papers range from Rs 75 to Rs 120 while that of guess papers range from Rs 20 to Rs 80 per set.

Students, teachers and academic circles have expressed different views in connection with use of guess papers and model papers.

Most of the students believe that guess papers prove a blessing for them, as they had to prepare only the selected and important parts of different subjects. Some teachers also believe in "guess works" theory and prepare especial guesses ahead of exams for their students.

However, academic circles are not in favour of guess papers and oppose its use by the students especially by those who solely depend on such "miraculous" material and do not cover their courses completely.

They also believe that guesswork discourages students to cover the syllabus comprehensively owing to which students learn nothing despite passing the examinations.

Makki, a shopkeeper at Urdu Bazaar, said the trend of using guess papers and model papers was very high among students especially those who were studying in government schools. He said extraordinary sale of guess papers was recorded a couple of weeks ago, before the examinations.

He further said demand of guess papers of intermediate classes was not as high among college students though some publishers do prepare them.

Shahbaz, a student, said guess papers were a great blessing for students, as they had to prepare only selected and important questions.

"I don't entirely depend on guess papers but I do go through these papers before examinations since these offer most important question papers for examinations," he added.

Another student said a few academies and tuition centres were popular in the City just because their guesswork was perfect. He said a rush of students can be seen outside such centres ahead of examinations.

"Different sets of guess work are prepared and are sold in form of photocopies by these academies," he added.

Faisal, another student, narrating his own experience of using guess papers said sometimes almost all the questions are mentioned in the guess papers but students could not realise they have been befooled in the name of guess work.

Sajjad, a father of a student, said some teachers compel students to buy model papers and guess papers, he said by doing so, they wanted to ease their own burden.

He said it was sad that students were not discouraged from using guess papers.

"This is very dangerous as guess work certainly hampers academic activities of the students," he added.

He criticised low quality printing and low quality paper, saying substandard material was being sold at higher prices.

Academic circles flayed the prevailing "guess-mania" among most of the students. They said teachers should play their role in creating awareness among students about negative aspects of relying on guesswork. The News

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