6.6 Lakh Students Appear for West Bengal’s First-Ever Class 12 Semester Exam

A Historic Shift in the State’s Examination System

West Bengal has marked a historic milestone in its education system with the introduction of the semester-based Class 12 board examination for the very first time. On September 8, 2025, nearly 6.6 lakh students appeared for the Higher Secondary (HS) exams under the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) in this new format. This shift officially ends the decades-old annual examination system, which had been in practice since 1978.

According to official board data, 56.03% of the candidates were girls, highlighting a steady increase in female participation in higher education across the state.

Transition from Annual to Semester-Based System

The move to a semester-based system comes in line with the West Bengal State Education Policy, which aims to modernize the evaluation process, encourage deeper learning, and prepare students for competitive and skill-driven environments.

The last annual examination for Class 12 students was conducted in March 2025, marking the end of a 47-year-old system. From this academic year, Class 12 students, who had already taken semester-based exams in Class 11, sat for their third semester examinations under the new model.

Exam Structure and Centres

The Class 12 semester exams were conducted across 2,106 centres statewide, with candidates writing their papers between 10:00 am and 11:15 am. According to WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya, the structure of the semester system is designed to strike a balance between analytical thinking and writing skills.

• Semesters 1 and 3: Question papers feature Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) to test students’ critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Semesters 2 and 4: Papers are designed with Short Answer Questions (SAQs) and Development Quotient (DQ) sections, ensuring students retain their writing abilities and can express answers in detail.

This blended format is expected to better equip students for higher studies and professional courses, where both reasoning and communication are crucial.

Security Measures and Sensitive Venues

With such a large number of students appearing for the exam, maintaining integrity and fairness was a top priority. The board identified 122 examination venues as ‘sensitive’, ensuring tighter surveillance and monitoring.

All electronic devices, including mobile phones, were strictly prohibited in the exam halls to prevent malpractice. The council stated that robust preventive measures were implemented to maintain transparency and credibility in the evaluation process.

Student Demographics: A Closer Look

Out of the 6.6 lakh candidates, girls constituted the majority with over 56% participation. This reflects an encouraging trend of growing female representation in higher education across West Bengal. Over the past decade, the state has witnessed consistent efforts to promote gender parity in schools, and the latest figures demonstrate significant progress in this regard.

Why the Semester Model?

According to education experts, the semester system offers several advantages over the traditional annual model:

1. Continuous Assessment: Instead of relying on a single exam at the end of the year, students are evaluated more frequently, reducing pressure and anxiety.
2. Skill Development: The inclusion of MCQs encourages logical reasoning and quick decision-making, while SAQs and DQ sections retain the importance of expressive writing.
3. Reduced Learning Gaps: More frequent exams help identify learning gaps earlier, allowing students and teachers to address them in time.
4. Alignment with Higher Education: Many universities and professional courses already follow semester-based evaluations, making the transition smoother for students.

WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya emphasized that the new exam structure is designed to “promote thinking and reasoning while also retaining the traditional focus on writing skills.”

A Smooth First Phase

The first day of the semester-based exam reportedly went smoothly across most centres, with students adapting well to the new format. Since they had already written semester exams in Class 11, the transition to Class 12 semester exams was less daunting than initially expected.

Teachers and exam administrators noted that students seemed more relaxed compared to previous years, possibly due to the shorter, focused exam duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, compared to the longer traditional papers.

Broader Implications for West Bengal’s Education System

The shift to semester-based board exams is more than just a change in format—it represents a paradigm shift in the state’s approach to education. By balancing objective testing with descriptive writing, the new model is designed to create well-rounded learners.

This reform also aligns West Bengal more closely with national education trends, particularly those outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which encourages continuous assessment, skill-based learning, and reduced exam stress.

Challenges Ahead

While the rollout has been smooth, the new semester system is not without challenges:

• Logistics: Conducting two rounds of board exams within a single academic year requires significant planning and resources.
• Training Teachers: Instructors must be trained to design and evaluate semester-based assessments effectively.
• Student Adjustment: While Class 11 students have already experienced the format, adapting to frequent exams may still pose stress for some students.

Education officials, however, believe that these are transitional issues that will smooth out with time as schools, teachers, and students grow accustomed to the new system.

Conclusion

With 6.6 lakh students participating, the introduction of the semester-based Class 12 board exams in West Bengal marks a defining moment in the state’s education history. Ending a system that had been in place since 1978, this reform brings fresh opportunities for skill development, continuous learning, and reduced exam stress.