Govt abolishes MCQs in PEC exams to check question paper leaks

The government has finalised its plan to bring changes to the Primary Education Completion (PEC) examinations by abolishing multiple choice questions tests, reports bdnews24.com.

The new question method will be competency-based and the government has moved to alter the mark distribution system, according to officials familiar with the situation. The exam duration will remain unchanged.

The question pattern was finalised at a national workshop held on April 10, the National Academy for Primary Education said in a notice issued on Thursday.

The move came after the government drew fierce criticism over the question paper leaks in last year's PEC exams. The change was inspired by recommendations made by policymakers and educationists to prevent question leaks in public exams.

Leaked questions went viral on the social media night before the exam. Not only the PEC exam, all other public examinations, such as Junior School Certificate and its equivalent madrassa Junior Dakhil Certificate and Secondary School Certificate witnessed a spate of question leaks.