CBSE Open Book Exam: Proposed Trial from Class 9th to 12th
CBSE Open Book Exam System shall be adopted by Central Board of Secondary Education from Class 9th to 12th. The pilot run for CBSE open book exams will be held for 6 subjects. The trial or pilot will be organised in various selected schools in November or December 2024 tentatively.
Central Board of Secondary Education is a national level board which is responsible for conducting 10th/ 12th level board exams across the country. CBSE is managed by MHRD and has regional offices situated in Delhi, Dehradun, Chennai, Guwahati, Ajmer, Allahabad, Patna, and many other cities. Through this article, students can know complete information about the recent announcement made for CBSE Open Book System.
Introduction of OTBA:
- OTBA (Open Text Based Assessment) for Classes 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th for 3 years (2014-2015 to 2016- 2017).
- On recommendations by NCFSE (National Curriculum Framework for School Education), CBSE has propose to conduct OBE for 9th- 12th.
- Pilot run or trial run is proposed by CBSE in selected schools for the subjects – Mathematics, English and Science.
- It will assess the response of the stakeholders and calculate how the students will manage their time to complete the test.
- Objective of OTBA – Through this system, students will be able to use their notes and textbooks during the exam aligning with the suggestions of introduced new National Curriculum Framework.
CBSE Open Book Exam Dates
As of now no official date is announced for trial or implementation of OBE. But the authority will be able to design the trial of open book by June 2024.
Meanwhile the trial of Open Book exam is scheduled in the month of November/ December 2024. The confirmed dates will be announced soon by officials.
What is OTBA (Open Text Based Assessment) System?
For those who are unaware about OTBA system, here is quick introduction. OTBA or Open Book exams enables students to use their textbooks and notes while appearing for the test. Students may think that Open Book exam will be easier for them but in actual it’s a lot more challenging.
Open Book Exam evaluates the students understanding, application of concepts & analytical skills. Students will be provided text material four months in advance which they can carry with them during the exams. By this, students can avoid the rote learning method and critically appear for the exam.
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History With Open Book System
Earlier, CBSE had introduced this system in the year 2014- 15 and 2016-17 but it failed due to the negative response from the academicians and students.
During Covid pandemic, Delhi University also introduced OBE. Despite opposition from the students, the Open Book exam was eventually conducted by DU. The students were allowed to carry their own answer sheets, notes, study materials, gadget in the OBE. It was introduced first in August 2020 and then last OBE was held in March 2022.
Trial & Implementation of OBE
CBSE will finalise the design of OBE (Open Book Exam) pilot by June 2024 after taking consultation from Delhi University. However, the proposed trial for OBE is scheduled in the month of November- December 2024.
The Governing Body of CBSE in their last meeting held in December 2023 gave the idea for this exam. Later this year, a pilot run (trial) of open tests in selected schools is suggested for Class 9th & 10th (Science, Mathematics & English subjects) and Class 11th & 12th (Biology, Mathematics & English subjects).
The objective of this is to calculate the time taken by the candidates in completing the OBE. Moreover, feedbacks will be taken from the stakeholders which will certainly decide the possibility of the implementation of OTBA system.
A senior board official said, ‘’The plan is in line with recommendations made in the National Curriculum Framework. These tests will undergo pilot phase in schools to evaluate various aspects such as completion time, suitability for formative and summative assessment and stakeholders’ perceptions.”
Adoption of CBSE Open Book Format
There is no confirmation of adoption of OBE format in CBSE Board examination and right now the plan is just going through the ideation phase.
But the method could be used in internal exams for promoting innovative thinking among students. Plus, the adoption of Open Book Exam will promote critical thinking and research skills, analysis and deeper understanding of concepts rather than memorisation of facts.
If you have any other query regarding the CBSE Open Book Exam, you can ask us in the comments section.
