The CBSE is laying the groundwork for a pilot run of open-book assessments, initially focusing on subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science for Classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for Classes 11 and 12. The primary objective is to assess the time taken by students to complete these tests and to gather valuable feedback from various stakeholders.

Open Book Examinations:

Contrary to popular belief, open-book exams do not necessarily equate to easier assessments than closed-book exams. They necessitate students to showcase their understanding, analysis, and application of concepts, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills over mere memorization.

Pilot Implementation and Decision-Making Process:

The proposed pilot phase is scheduled for November-December, during which the Board aims to evaluate its effectiveness before considering widespread adoption. This assessment will particularly focus on evaluating higher-order thinking skills and creative problem-solving abilities.

Consultation and Preparation:

To finalize the design and development of the OBE pilot, CBSE plans to seek guidance from Delhi University (DU), a trailblazer in implementing open-book tests during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognizing initial concerns, especially regarding equitable access for underprivileged and visually challenged students, the Board aims to address potential challenges proactively.

Learnings from Past Experiments:

The CBSE had previously experimented with an Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) format, which was discontinued due to unfavorable feedback. Drawing insights from this experience, discussions within the curriculum committee underscored the significance of high-quality textbooks. Additionally, involving teachers in the initial OBE trials is suggested to ensure standards akin to advanced placement examinations. These measures aim to enhance the overall efficacy and acceptance of the proposed open-book examination format.