CBSE proposes open-book exams for 9th to 12th graders

According to a report by the Indian Express, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering the introduction of Open Book Examinations (OBE) for students in grades 9 to 12, in alignment with the latest National Curriculum Framework (NCF) guidelines.

CBSE plans to test the open-book exam format in a few selected schools, targeting subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science for 9th and 10th graders, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for 11th and 12th graders later in the year. This initiative aims to gauge feedback from stakeholders and assess the duration students require to complete these exams.

Previously, CBSE’s attempt to implement an Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for 9th and 11th-grade exams over three years from 2014 to 2017 was met with criticism from both students and educators.

The pilot open-book tests are scheduled for November-December this year, after which CBSE will decide whether to expand this assessment method to all affiliated schools for grades 9 to 12. Additionally, CBSE plans to seek advice from Delhi University (DU), which had adopted open-book exams during the COVID-19 pandemic despite student opposition, requiring students to bring their own materials to minimize contact.

What is an open-book examination?

This exam format focuses on evaluating students’ advanced cognitive abilities rather than their memorization skills. In the previous CBSE Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA), students received text materials four months prior to their exams and were permitted to use these case studies and their own notes or textbooks while responding to questions. This approach encourages critical thinking and shifts away from traditional rote learning strategies for exam preparation.

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