CBSE Plans Pilot Run of Open-Book Exams for Classes 9-12: A Shift in Assessment Approach

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering a shift in its assessment approach by planning a pilot run of Open-Book Exams (OBE) for classes 9 to 12. The proposal was discussed in the last governing body meeting of the Board in December 2023. The pilot run is aimed at assessing subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science for classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for classes 11 and 12. The focus of these open-book assessments is to evaluate higher-order thinking skills, application, analysis, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities among students.

In an OBE, students are permitted to refer to their notes, textbooks, or other study materials during the exam. The pilot testing will gather feedback on completion time, suitability for formative and summative assessment, and stakeholders’ perceptions. While the design and development of Open Book Tests are proposed to be completed by June 2024, the pilot testing in schools is planned for November-December 2024. It’s noteworthy that the CBSE had previously experimented with an Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) format, but it was discontinued based on negative feedback. The current proposal aims to learn from past experiences, emphasizing the importance of high-quality textbooks and involving teachers in the initial OBE trials.

During discussions, the CBSE chairman highlighted the need to learn from Delhi University’s experiences and suggested considering Advanced Placement (AP) exams’ question clarity and quality as a benchmark for drafting quality CBSE OBE content. The shift in assessment approach aims to foster innovative thinking among students while maintaining high standards in the examination process. However, it’s clarified that there is no plan to adopt the OBE format in the CBSE class 10 and 12 board examinations at this stage.