CBSE board exam pattern to be changed from 2020
Reportedly, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has plans to change the pattern of Class X and Class XII board examinations from 2020. According to ToI, the planned changes are meant to assess students based on their analytical capabilities, rather than their mugging up skills. Notably, the changes are part of a larger revamp plan by the CBSE. Here are the details.
From 2020, focus will be on critical thinking
2020 onwards, CBSE board exam questions for Classes X and XII will reportedly focus more on problem solving, and will have more numbers of short questions carrying one to five marks. In terms of marking, stress would be more on assessing students' critical thinking capabilities, rather than assessing their abilities to reproduce information studied from texts to score high marks.
Exams to be held in two legs from 2020
Another notable changes in the CBSE's proposed plans include conducting board examinations in two legs - first for vocational subjects, and then for non-vocational subjects. Owing to number of candidates taking vocational subject examinations being low, these tests would be conducted in February. This would enable tests for the remaining subjects to be conducted within 15 days in March.
The CBSE also has new bylaws regarding school affiliations
The CBSE also has new bylaws in mind, pertaining to school affiliations. These bylaws suggest that schools applying for CBSE affiliations, or trying to renew their affiliations should be awarded such affiliations based on quality of education, and not physical infrastructure. The new bylaws would thus take into account quality of teachers, learning outcomes, and pedagogy during the affiliation process.
No concrete decision has been taken, changes are being mulled
It's important to note that all the aforementioned changes are still being discussed and no concrete decision has been arrived at so far. According to a MHRD official who spoke to ToI, these proposals will take a further three-four months "to crystallize". However, changes in the exam pattern and questions are reportedly already being worked on by the board.
