New look O/L exam this year

The structure and content of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level question papers will be changed to measure students' intelligence, logical approach and thinking power, qualities needed for present-day requirements, Commissioner General of Examinations Anura Edirisinghe said.

The memory power of the student has been mainly measured by question papers so far instead of measuring the intelligence or other criteria. But in most countries question papers have been targeted to measure those qualities. According to the current practice, students to memorise answers by-heart.

The first Ordinary Level Examination under the new approach is due to be held in December. The students who sit the examination first time can face this new examination while the private and second time candidates can face the old examination. Therefore the Ordinary Level examination will have two facets this year.