CBSE introduces the concept of open text based assessment for classes IXth and XIth.

Updated on: Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The authorities of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have decided to introduce the concept of open text based assessment (OTBA) for classes IXth and XIth.

With the aim to incorporate analytical and theoretical skills, thus moving away from memorization, OTBA would be introduced in March, 2014 examination of these two classes.

The board has given instructions to all the schools coming under its ambit, that OTBA for Class IX in March, 2014, would be applicable to all the main subjects.

This will be a part of summative assessment (SA) II to be held in March, 2014. The textual material will be provided to the schools before the commencement of SA-II.

The main objective of introducing this element is to provide opportunities to students to apply theoretical concepts to a real life scenario by encouraging active and group learning in the class.

The text material/ case-studies for both the Classes IX and XI will be supplied to schools in December, 2013. Commenting on the issue, Shalini Dikshit, Principal KV New Cant said, "We have been given the instructions to follow the decision of the board as it has been introduced after much deliberation and every pro and con has been weighed upon".

The students who are presently in class IX and XI would be giving their SA-II exam based on this new concept, she added.

The textual material may be in the form of an article, a case study, a diagram, a concept/mind map, a picture or a cartoon, problem/situation based on the concepts taught to the students during second term.

It will cover around 15-20% of the course in all the main subjects and may also include the value based questions.

The instructions further mentions that the textual material will be related to chosen concepts taken from the syllabi as OTBA will have questions of higher order thinking skills and some of which may be subjective, creative and open ended.

The textual material will also be available while answering the questions during the assessment.

For OTBA for Class XI, the board's instructions mentions that it will be applicable to Economics, Biology and Geography subjects only. About the role of teachers, the board aims that the teachers are expected to provide a bridge between theory and practice.

The text/case studies are designed to promote active participation of students requiring them to engage in active learning process through discussion, analytical thinking, self-reflection and critical thinking.

CBSE introduces the concept of open text based assessment for classes IXth and XIth.

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