CBSE Considers Open Book Exams for Classes 9 to 12: Shifting Paradigms in Assessment

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is contemplating a significant paradigm shift in the assessment methodology for students in Classes 9 to 12. According to sources, the Board is considering the implementation of Open Book Examinations (OBE) in line with the recommendations of the new National Curriculum Framework released last year.

The proposed pilot run of open-book tests is expected to take place in a few schools, focusing on English, Mathematics, and Science for Classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for Classes 11 and 12. The primary objective of this pilot is to evaluate the time taken by students to complete such tests and gauge stakeholders' responses.

In an open-book exam, students are allowed to bring their notes, textbooks, or other study materials and refer to them during the examination. Contrary to common misconceptions, OBEs are not necessarily easier than traditional closed-book exams. These assessments are designed to evaluate a student's understanding of a subject and their ability to analyze and apply concepts, rather than testing memorization skills.

The proposed pilot run is scheduled for November-December of this year. The Board aims to assess higher-order thinking skills, application, analysis, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities during this trial phase. The experience gained from the pilot will play a crucial role in determining whether this form of assessment should be adopted across all CBSE schools for Classes 9 to 12.

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To aid in the design and development of the OBE pilot, the CBSE has decided to consult Delhi University (DU), which had introduced open-book tests in August 2020. The DU's experience with OBEs faced opposition and legal challenges, with concerns raised about discrimination against underprivileged and differently-abled students who may lack internet access and necessary infrastructure.

The CBSE's move towards OBEs is not entirely unprecedented. The Board had previously experimented with an Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) format for the year-end exams of Classes 9 and 11 from 2014-15 to 2016-17. However, it was discontinued based on negative feedback from stakeholders.

In late 2023, the CBSE curriculum committee discussed the need to develop high-quality textbooks to ensure students' understanding and acceptance of this new assessment method. Some committee members proposed an innovative approach—having teachers undergo open book exams first to grasp the concept. This step, they argued, would help educators develop OBE materials of similar quality to those used in prominent international exams, such as the Advanced Placement examination in the United States.

As the CBSE explores the potential shift to OBEs, questions about accessibility, fairness, and the adaptability of students and educators to this new evaluation format arise. The coming months will shed light on the outcomes of the pilot run and the Board's decision on whether to embrace open-book exams as a standard assessment method for Classes 9 to 12 in CBSE schools nationwide. The move could signify a transformative change in the way students are evaluated, placing emphasis on comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills rather than rote memorization.

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