Big update on CBSE Exam, CBSE will conduct open book exam soon. Read merits and demerits of OBE
CBSE Board Exam Big Update: CBSE may very soon conduct open book exam for children from 9th to 12th. In this update students can take books and notes to the exam hall. A big change can be seen in India’s education system. Important Part of this change is the concept of ‘open book exam’.
Recently, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced to start a pilot program of open book exam for classes 9th to 12th.
This CBSE news is special for students and teachers. Under CBSE open book exam, students will be able to use their books, notes or any other study material during the exam. So students can find and write answers to the questions asked in the board exam from books and notes.
Big Update on CBSE Board Exam: Summary
There is a significant update for the students of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). CBSE may very soon start Open Book Exams (OBE) for classes 9 to 12. CBSE presented a proposal in the Governing Body meeting, considering Open Book Exams (OBE) for students of classes 9 to 12.
After the implementation of OBE, children can also take their notes and books to the exam. Let’s take a closer look at the important key points and an overview of this change.
10 Major Key Points of OBE CBSE Open Book Exam
1. CBSE is considering Open Book Examinations (OBE) for classes 9 to 12, sparking debates about its feasibility and effects on education.
2. The proposal aligns with the recommendations of the new National Curriculum Framework introduced last year.
3. A pilot project is scheduled to assess OBE’s viability in selected schools and subjects, aiming to reduce student stress and unfair practices like cheating.
4. Critics question infrastructure readiness and practical implementation challenges despite potential benefits in fostering critical thinking.
5. Experts suggest a timeline of 5 to 8 years for full OBE implementation across classes 10 to 12, with careful preparation and infrastructure development.
6. Parents express concerns about additional burdens on students and the need to purchase specific textbooks for OBE.
7. The pilot run will target English, Mathematics, and Science for lower classes and English, Mathematics, and Biology for higher classes to gauge student performance and gather feedback.
8. OBE focuses on assessing comprehension, analysis, and application of concepts rather than memorization, promoting higher-order thinking skills.
9. CBSE plans to finalize the OBE pilot’s design and development by June, seeking guidance from Delhi University’s experience with open book tests during the pandemic.
10. Past experiments like Open Text-Based Assessment (OTBA) inform current discussions, emphasizing the importance of high-quality textbooks and teacher involvement in OBE trials.
What exactly is an open book exam?
In an Open Book Exam (OBE), students bring their subject notes and related books into the exam hall. They find answers to exam questions in the books according to their convenience. However, this is also not very easy considering the time and number of questions.
During the Corona epidemic, open book examination was also conducted in Delhi University.
It is being claimed that open book exams can help in getting rid of rote learning to some extent. Some students often appear in the exam by rote learning instead of understanding the topic. Such students focus only on getting good marks in the exam and not on learning or understanding anything.
With the help of open book exam, students will concentrate more on understanding the topic. Their power of thinking and understanding will increase. However, this will be possible only when the children prepare for that subject in advance.
Merits and Demerits of OBE
| Merits of Open Book Exams (OBE) | Demerits of Open Book Exams (OBE) |
|---|---|
| OBEs promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students analyze and apply concepts. | Risk of students becoming overly dependent on external resources, hindering genuine understanding. |
| Reduce pressure on students to memorize vast amounts of information, focusing on comprehension. | Exacerbate existing inequalities among students, limiting access to resources. |
| Encourage effective resource management and utilization, teaching valuable skills for information navigation. | Require strong time management skills to efficiently locate relevant information during exams. |
| Engage students in the learning process, leading to increased motivation and interest. | Challenging for educators to evaluate students’ understanding due to the open-book format. |
| Assess students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically, providing a comprehensive measure of learning outcomes. | Pose a higher risk of academic dishonesty, necessitating vigilant monitoring and proctoring measures. |
What are Open Book Examinations (OBE)?
OBE allows students to refer to their books and notes during exams, focusing on understanding, analysis, and problem-solving rather than memorization.
Why is CBSE considering OBE?
CBSE aims to reduce student stress, promote critical thinking, and mitigate unfair practices like cheating through OBE.
What subjects will be included in the pilot OBE?
The pilot run will cover English, Mathematics, and Science for classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics, and Biology for classes 11 and 12.
How will OBE impact students and parents?
While OBE may reduce exam stress, concerns about additional burdens on students and the need to purchase specific textbooks have been raised by parents.
When will OBE be fully implemented, and what are the key considerations?
Experts suggest a timeline of 5 to 8 years for full OBE implementation, emphasizing the need for careful preparation, infrastructure development, and equitable access to resources.
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As both a mother and a teacher, I vehemently disagree with the decision to implement open book tests. This method undermines true understanding, promotes rote learning, and creates an unfair advantage. I urge reconsideration for a more equitable assessment approach.