According to officials, CBSE intends to conduct a trial run of open-book assessments in selected schools for students in classes IX to XII later this year. The concept was proposed during the Board’s governing body meeting in December 2023. However, Board officials have clarified that there are no current plans to implement this format in class X and XII board exams.
The pilot initiative by CBSE aims to introduce open-book assessments in selected schools, focusing on subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science for classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for classes 11 and 12. The objective is to assess students’ completion time and gather feedback from stakeholders.
This plan aligns with recommendations outlined in the National Curriculum Framework. The assessments will undergo a trial phase in schools to evaluate various aspects including completion time, suitability for formative and summative assessment, and stakeholders’ perspectives, as stated by a senior board official.
In an open-book exam (OBE), students are permitted to refer to their notes, textbooks, or other study materials during the examination.
The pilot program will specifically focus on evaluating students’ higher-order thinking skills, application, analysis, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities. The design, development, and review of open-book tests are projected to be completed by June 2024, with pilot testing of the materials scheduled for November-December 2024 in schools.
