'Very tough' chemistry paper leaves PUC students anxious

Mangaluru: The questions asked in the second PUC chemistry examination held on Tuesday were allegedly “very tough”, leaving many anxious about the results.

According to students and their parents, 75 percent of the questions asked were based on “application” rather than knowledge, which went against the departmental guidelines. Students had been advised to practice the model question paper, which was expected to follow a similar format to the actual exam. However, the questions asked in the exam were reportedly very much different from the model paper, leading to further confusion.

Concerned parents and students brought this issue to the attention of teachers, and the state-level chemistry forum in Mangaluru. They have also sought the intervention of officials in the education department in Bengaluru to address this matter.

Many students alleged that the Chemistry questions were in the pattern of JEE and NEET, two of the top competitive college entrance exams in the country. This, according to them, was unexpected and different from the guidelines provided.

The Education Minister and department had previously informed students that multiple choice questions would be given this time, and the model question paper was also prepared in the same format. However, the actual exam paper was different from the model paper and the departmental guidelines, creating confusion for the students.