CBSE To Change Class 11 And 12 Exam Format To Enhance Practical Learning

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced a change in the class 11 and 12 exam format from the 2024-25 session in accordance with the National Education Policy, 2020. As per the CBSE, with the recent changes, the question papers will become more practical and application-based.

The main objective behind this move is to create an educational system away from its earlier memorization-based process towards more learning-focused education, CBSE said. It aims to promote creativity, and critical and system thinking capacities of students to meet the challenges of the 21st century, it added.

In this direction CBSE has already taken several steps to implement a competency-based education in schools, ranging from coordinating assessments with competencies, creating resources that serve as models for both educators and students, and continuously enhancing instructors’ capacities, among other things.

Changes made by the CBSE for the 2024-25 session

The percentage of constructed response questions with both short and long answers has decreased from 40% to 30%.

The percentage of competency-focused questions—MCQs, case-based questions, source-based integrated questions, and other questions of any kind—has increased from 40% to 50%.

The proportion of competency-based questions in the board’s question papers that evaluate how concepts are applied in practical settings has also been changed.

Other CBSE decisions to rationalize the education system

Recently CBSE announced to consider the open-book exams (OBE) to allow students to develop application-based learning instead of just mugging up things to pass the examination. As per the board, the open book exams are more about learning as it is a 360-degree change in the way schools view learning, design pedagogy and recognize heterogeneity among students.

In this direction, CBSE will conduct a pilot test to assess the feasibility of an open-book exam. The move aligns with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for Secondary Education (NCF-SE) and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.