JEE Main 2015 official answer keys reveal wrong questions

JEE Main 2015 official answer keys were released along with exam OMR sheets and recorded responses on April 18, 2015 on the official websites of JEE Main and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education).

Soon after the JEE Main 2015 exam got over on April 4, 10 and 11, 2015, queries from students started pouring in regarding few wrong questions in the exam and whether they would be given bonus marks for the same. Delving deeper into the matter, we found out and reported that JEE Main 2015 offline paper indeed had wrong questions. However, there was no clarity or confirmation from CBSE about the same.

As per the official answer keys released recently, CBSE has confirmed and accepted the fact that there were few wrong questions in both JEE Main 2015 online and offline paper.  However, there was no clarity on whether or not would students be awarded bonus marks for the same.  

To substantiate the matter, shiksha.com spoke to Shailendra Maheshwari from Career Point, Kota. Here is what he had to say:

“Basis the answer keys released by CBSE on April 18, they have accepted that there were some questions which were wrong while some had more than two correct options. Though they have not announced or mentioned anywhere about the actions to be taken for these wrong questions but it is assumed that students will be given bonus marks for these questions. For the questions that were wrong, students would be awarded bonus marks – whether they have attempted the question or not. And for questions which had more than one correct answer and if students had marked any of the correct options, they would be given marks”.

Talking about the incorrect questions, he added, “ In Code A, Question no. 15 had two correct options and Question no. 10 was incorrect. In Code B, Question no. 87 was incorrect and Question no. 78 had two correct options. In Code C, Question no. 51 was wrong and Question no. 53 had two correct options. And in Code D, Question no. 17 was wrong and Question no. 20 had two correct options. Apart from this, there were other irregularities too but CBSE has not accepted the same.  However, students would be challenging these questions and we feel that these should also be accepted”.

Elaborating on the irregularities, Mr. Maheshwari said, “ In Physics, the answer to Question no. 19 in Code A, Question no. 69 in Code B,  Question no. 57 in Code C and Question no. 23 in Code D should be changed. CBSE claimed different answers to these questions but they are wrong. The answer given be CBSE is certainly incorrect. They need to rectify it”.

“Similarly in Chemistry, Question no. 34 in Code A, Question no. 20 in Code B, Question no. 17 in Code C and Question no. 75 in Code D had irregularities. In this question, the word ‘Interaction is mentioned’. This term deals with force and energy both – scientifically. Ideally, CBSE should have clearly mentioned that in which respect the term is being used but they failed to do so.  As per the answer key released by them, they have considered interaction with energy. Thus, a different answer is given. But, this question has two correct options and both should be accepted by CBSE. They definitely have accepted one of the answers, but not the other one. The benefit of doubt should be given to all the students who have attempted the questions with marking the second option that also is correct but is not being accepted by CBSE. There are two different considerations and two different answers to this questions”, he explained.

He also shared that there was a question in Mathematics too which had a similar issue. Throwing light on the matter, he said, “ In Mathematics, a question from Probability is repeated in all the four sets. These questions were -   Question no. 86 in Code A, Question no. 37 in Code B, Question no 22 in Code C and Question no. 60 in Code D. The information given in the question is not sufficient and basis this, no option comes out as a correct option. Some hypothetical conditions are to be assumed and then only a correct option will be derived. So, we believe that any student who attempted this question should be awarded marks. The question lacked clarity and it’s not a student’s fault”.  

Maheshwari believes that the other stumbling block that students would go through will be during the challenge of answer keys. According to CBSE, to challenge a question, a student needs to pay Rs.1000 per question. He says, “ Students have to pay a sum of Rs.1000 to challenge one question which I think is too much to ask. Infact, they also have not mentioned anywhere that if a challenge is accepted, what would be the action taken – whether the money would be refunded, or whether marks would be given to all the candidates or to only those who have challenged the question/s. For a mistake committed by CBSE, why should students pay such an amount or any amount for that matter? Though they haven’t mentioned anything, I hope they refund the amount if the challenge is accepted”.

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