New course: Govt scraps exams for CBSE class X

In a major reform that may change the school education system in India, human resource development minister Kapil Sibal announced on Monday the government’s decision to scrap class X Board examinations in all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools.

This will be effective from academic session 2010-11. The CBSE will also replace marks with a nine-point grading system starting from A1 (exceptional) up to E2 (unsatisfactory).

Under the new system, students who wish to continue in the same school after Class X need not sit for a board exam from 2011. They can, however, take the examination “on-demand” if they wish to be evaluated. The on-demand assessment can be taken many times in a year.

The board exam, however, will be available for students who want to shift schools, take admission in pre-university courses, drop out or for those in schools that are up to Class X only. Such students would need to take the examination to be able to join another +2 level school.

The present batch (2009-10) of class X will have to write the exam since the government doesn’t want to make mid-session changes. But students appearing in class IX and X exams in 2010 will be evaluated with grades and marks. From the next year, they will be judged on grades.

The CBSE will also offer an aptitude test for classes IX and X from 2010. The first test will be available by February. By the time a student reaches class XI, she/he would have undertaken the aptitude test twice, once each in classes IX and X. This, together with other school records and continuous, comprehensive evaluation (CCE) would help students, parents and teachers choose subjects for class XI.

The board will introduce on-demand (pen-paper/online) tests based on the syllabi. Students in classes IX and X will follow the CCE for both terms. At the end of class X, students will be issued CCE certificates on stationery given by CBSE. The cards would be then sent to CBSE for signatures.

“After the Class X exam is abolished, students will have a choice to take the on-demand exam for transfer (to another school) or entry into pre-university institutes. The exam is also available to students who want to continue in the same school but want to be evaluated. Such students can also take a retest to improve gradings,” Sibal said.

According to CBSE chairman Vineet Joshi, the grading system will be a continuous, comprehensive evaluation (CCE) going beyond class tests. “The CCE will cover all aspects of students’ development. Schools will evaluate students on assignments, quiz, participation in class, group discussion etc.”

The CCE will also take care of all-round development of the child in scholastic and co-scholastic aspects. Scholastic aspects include curricular area or subject specific areas while co-scholastic aspects include life-skills, attitudes and values, co-curricular, physical and health related activities.

According to Joshi, the CCE would help reduce stress on students, make evaluation comprehensive, allow the teacher to be creative, provide a tool for diagnosis and remedial instruction, and produce learners with greater skills.

In summative assessment (of 60% marks), students will be tested on the curriculum and scheme of studies at the end of course. It will be a graded test to be used for promotion.

Formative assessment (of 40% marks) will be carried out during course of instruction for providing continuous feedback to teachers and students. The school-based assessment will also be recorded in a certificate which records both formative and summative assessments.