Patna, Dec. 30: Learning from mistakes would be easier for Patna University students once they are allowed to see their evaluated answerscripts under the semester system for postgraduate courses in the new academic session.

Students in their final year of college, on their way to university, are jubilant at the prospect of going through their evaluated copies. Final-year geology student at Patna Science College Kishan Kumar said: “We can evaluate our performance and understand where we commit mistakes if the answerscripts are shown to us. It would help us perform better.” Kishan is also happy that students can seek guidance from teachers on how to answer a question better to secure good marks. Such an exercise can also hold students in good stead when they appear in competitive examinations.

Ravi Kumar, another final-year geology student of Patna Science College, echoed Kishan. He said: “Students can raise queries on the questions answered in the examination and the teacher concerned can guide them on the best possible way to attempt a question.”

Under University Grants Commission directives, the varsity will introduce semester system in postgraduate courses from the July 2012 academic session. The varsity administration is working on the study methodology for the new system. A new syllabus for each semester and external and internal assessment of the students twice a year instead of annual evaluation are on the minds of teachers and students.

The faculty members concede the advantages of the semester system. Patna University senior geology teacher V.S. Dubey said: “The biggest advantage of a semester system is its transparency in evaluation. Students can raise questions on the marks they are awarded. There will be no favouritism in marking.”

Two semesters — July to December and January to June — would make up an academic year from 2012 at the varsity. Students will have to take up 16 papers per year in the two-year postgraduate course. Each paper would carry 100 marks. External evaluation will be conducted on 70 marks theory. For internal assessment of 30 marks, teachers of departments concerned would mark students on 15 marks in class tests that would be held twice a semester. The remaining 15 marks will be weighed on assignments, seminars or quiz, behaviour and attendance.

Dubey, however, also pointed at a few demerits in the semester system. He said as the syllabus for each semester would be new, there could be chances of students forgetting what they studied in their first semester in their final term.Each postgraduate department has been directed to prepare its revised syllabi for the semester system. The syllabi, once ready, would be sent for to the statutory bodies. These include the board of studies, the academic council, the syndicate and the senate. Once cleared from these statutory bodies of the varsity, the syllabi would be sent to the chancellor of the state universities for assent.

The board of studies is a new body formed by the varsity under the semester system. Led by the respective head of department, it includes seven senior teachers of the departments concerned.