What Really Happens in State Graduation Exams (My Experience)

Recently, the dates for my first semester exams were announced—13th, 16th, 17th, 19th, and 28th March, ending on April 1st. As soon as the schedule came out, I started feeling anxious. We had barely studied anything, and I kept wondering what we would even write in the exam.

At the same time, the NEET UG exam date was also getting closer, which added more pressure. Although the first-semester syllabus overlaps with Class 11 and 12 topics, the expectations are still at the graduation level, especially in Honors Zoology. We were not prepared for that level.

After the dates were announced, admit cards were released. We fixed a day to print them and get them signed by the principal. Then came the first exam day.

When we reached the examination center, guards were checking students at the gate. But after checking a few students, they became relaxed and allowed everyone inside freely. Many students, including us, entered with mobile phones. This is actually very common during graduation exams in my area.

We found our room number and seat number and sat down. After a few minutes, the invigilators arrived with answer sheets and question papers. Initially, they warned us strictly not to use phones or guide papers, saying we would be expelled. However, during the last hour of the exam, they informally allowed students to use phones and guidebooks.

I was a bit nervous. Around my seat, all students were girls, and I usually feel awkward talking to anyone, especially girls. But the girl sitting beside me started talking. She told me she was writing answers and said I could copy because there was less time and a lot to write.

At first, I refused because I was afraid of being caught cheating. She told me nothing would happen and that even invigilators knew students had no other option since lectures were not properly conducted. Eventually, I copied some answers from her. It was the first time in my life I had copied during an exam.

After the exam, we met again while collecting our bags. We talked about where we came from. She said she had come with two friends, and I was with mine. The exam center was around 12 km from my room and about 25 km from my home, so we started walking to find transport.

Eventually, my friend convinced a bus driver to drop us near our stop. Surprisingly, she was also on the same bus, though I didn’t notice at the time. She told me this during the next exam, which felt like a strange coincidence.

In the next paper, our seats were again close. This time, the exam was botany. I was more prepared, and we both helped each other. We finished early and started talking. She showed me her study table photos and told me she plans to attempt NEET UG in 2027. I told her this would be my third attempt. We wished each other luck.

Long rides to exam center

After that exam, I went home because our LPG cylinder had finished, and there was a shortage in my area.
The next exams were back-to-back. In one of the papers, our seats were not together. I wrote almost 30 sheets and finished my answer using both memory and phone support. I was probably the only one who filled all 30 sheets.

When I went to collect my bag, someone called out, "Oyee, chashmis. "I turned around and saw her again. We talked briefly. She said she stayed at her relatives’ house near the center because her home was in another district.

Now I’m waiting for the March 28 exam. If we have the same paper again, maybe we will meet. Otherwise, like on March 19 when we had different papers, we might not.

Let’s see what happens.