CBSE Open Book Exams: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is trying to introduce open book examinations for students from class 9 to 12, 2024. The move is being taken in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced previous year.
As per the media reports, the board has put forward a plan to pilot-run open-book exams for some schools. The English, Mathematics, and Science tests will be held for classes 9 and 10. Whereas, English, Biology, and Mathematics exams will be held for classes 11 and 12 to assess the time being taken by the students to complete the test and stakeholders' responses.
OBE Assess Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Students are permitted to bring their notes, textbooks, and other study materials to the exam hall in an open-book test. However, OBE exams are not any easier. They do not carry straightforward questions that can be answered by copying down the material simply. Rather, they assess students ability to analyse and apply concepts.
The pilot is proposed to be held in November-December 2024. The board will gauge if this sort of evaluation should be considered across classes 9 to 12 based on pilot experience. The OBEs will be directed to assess a student’s higher-order thinking skills, critical and creative thinking, application, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
The board is trying to wind up the development and design of the OBE pilot by June and is planning to consult the University of Delhi (DU) in this regard. In August 2020, DU implemented open-book exams despite criticism, due to the disruption of the academic calendar caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Importance of High-Quality Textbooks and Techers' Inclusion in OBE
CBSE earlier tried to experiment with an open text-based assessment format. However, it could not be continued due to negative reviews. Due to this, the curriculum committee highlighted the need for high-quality books and teachers' involvement in initial OBE trials to set standards similar to advanced placement tests.
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What Are Pros and Cons of OBE Exams?
Check out the list of advantages and disadvantages that the open book exams offer, if implemented-
Pros:
- Reduced Burden: Examinees feel less pressure because they have access to their books, study materials, and other resources during the exam.
- Promotes Deep Understanding: Open book exams help examinees learn the material in detail instead of just memorising the facts.
- Critical Thinking: When students have access to resources, they are more likely to have to critically analyse and evaluate information.
- Fairness: One of the advantages of open-book exams is that they can be seen as more equitable as they are accessible to all students.
Cons:
- Wastage of Time: During an Open Book exam, students may have difficulty managing their time as they may spend a lot of time looking for information.
- Risk of Dependence: Some students may become dependent on their resources too much.
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