The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is thinking about introducing open-book tests for students in classes 9 to 12. In these tests, students can use their textbooks while taking exams in subjects like English, Science, Mathematics, and Biology.
CBSE plans to test this idea in a trial phase in schools to figure out things like how much time students need to complete the tests, whether it’s suitable for different types of assessments, and what teachers, parents, and students think about it.
The timeline CBSE is looking at involves designing, developing, and reviewing these open-book tests by June 2024. Then, in November and December 2024, they will try out these tests in schools to see how well they work.
The focus of these open-book tests is to encourage higher-order thinking skills, like applying knowledge, analyzing information, and solving problems creatively. CBSE wants to train teachers to help students navigate these new types of assessments.
During discussions among CBSE members, some raised concerns. They wanted to know if CBSE was ready to handle any unexpected challenges that might come up and what kind of material the board plans to use for these tests.
CBSE explained that the open-book tests would include visual aids and questions that go beyond the usual syllabus. However, members acknowledged that there are challenges in creating high-quality materials and making sure students understand and accept this new way of testing.
Some members suggested that teachers should try taking open-book tests first to understand how students might approach these questions. They also pointed out the importance of making sure the questions are clear and of high quality, similar to advanced placement exams in the United States.
CBSE will also talk to Delhi University to learn about the challenges of implementing open-book tests. Overall, the board wants to make sure that introducing these tests doesn’t make schools and students feel stressed or anxious.
