Bengaluru: In a change from the conventional system, the Department of Pre-University Education has changed the examination pattern which will be applicable from the current academic year (2023-24) itself.

From the current academic year,  20 Internal Assessment (IA) marks will be considered for final exam in all PU subjects.

Currently, IA marks are applicable only for subjects with practical components. The subjects included Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Home Science and Electronics. In these subjects, 30 marks are considered from the practical exams. From this year, all 37 PU subjects will have IA of 20 marks, out of which 10 will come from the average of unit tests and 10 from projects or assignments.

The Department has asked colleges to stick to timelines for assessments and upload marks on the Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS). The final exam will be held for 80 marks from this academic year.

While the total marks for the theory exams have been reduced, there will be no changes in the duration of the exam.

Announcing this at a press meet here yesterday, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Madhu Bangarappa said that this change has been made based on demands from the teacher fraternity and students.

PU Director Sindhu Roopesh said that the new system was being planned for the last six months. The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board will release the blueprint of the new question paper. However, the new system will not cover private candidates and repeaters and they have to write the exams in the old format for 100 marks, she pointed out.

Department sources said that this is to push the pass percentage in II PUC final exams.